I am sharing my reviews from the first few months of 2021. The focus tends to be on new releases but good books deserve to be in the spotlight too on a regular basis.
This is my review from February 2021 for the memoir by Pete Springer about his teaching career.. They Call Me Mom.
About the book
Who Will You Inspire Today? Teachers face this challenge and responsibility each day, but in the process, the author discovers that his students can also have a profound influence on him. Pete Springer takes you on his memorable thirty-one-year journey in education as an elementary school teacher and offers the many valuable life and teaching lessons he learned along the way. Get ready to laugh out loud at some of the humorous and memorable experiences that all teachers face, feel inspired by the inherent goodness of children, and appreciate the importance of developing a sense of teamwork among the staff.
Learn valuable tips for working with children, parents, fellow staff members, and administrators. This book is ideal for young teachers, but also a reminder to all educators of the importance and responsibility of being a role model. This book is a must-read for all new teachers and those teachers that need a reminder they are human! Mr. Springer educates others in his easy-to-read, story-like, first-hand manuscript. You will laugh, cry, and get motivated to be the best educator you can. After reading this, I have a better outlook on relationships with my colleagues and am reminded to savor every moment. -Tami Beall (Principal, Pine Hill School)
My review for the book 13th February 2021
This memoir of a teacher with over thirty years experience, is an interesting snapshot of the American education system, particularly the elementary school years for 5 to 10 or 11 years old. This is a key period in a child’s life and so important that the skills for learning and development are absorbed during these years.
Pete Springer provides a step by step guide to creating the best environment within a classroom, for learning and as a place of safety and respect. Clearly a dedicated teacher, but also an observer of human nature, Springer provides a manual for new teachers, including how to achieve a rapport with both students and their parents. Importantly of course, creating lesson plans that stimulate and educate, and how to use effective and empathetic methods when dealing with behavioural and discipline issues.
The book it is not just about teaching a curriculum set out by a state education board, but also developing relationships in and out of the classroom with key people in a child’s and a teacher’s life. As the author points out, children come from a multitude of backgrounds with varying family circumstances and one size does not fit all when it comes to treating them as individuals or those in their lives.
With anecdotes of life in the classroom with young minds trying to be one step ahead of you, overeager parents, and absent ones, and differing teaching methods being supported by successive administrators, it is not a 9-5 job. Especially when you are a dedicated educator intent on sending well taught and well-adapted children on to secondary school.
There is much to enjoy by the casual reader looking for an informative and entertaining read, with memories of their own early years rising to the surface, not all as positive as in the classes of Pete Springer.
I do think it is an excellent guide to those who are considering teaching as a career or have just begun their training. Also new teachers trying to find their own style, and a way to connect with their students effectively and the others involved in their lives.
Parents, and to a degree grandparents, would certainly benefit from understanding the complexities of the work of a teacher. Whilst this is written from the perspective of the American education system, children of this age around the world require the same level of dedication and commitment to their well-being.
The author includes some wonderful stories of students (with their names changed) their parents and incidents that will entertain. It is heartwarming to learn about past students who keep in touch, even when they too have become parents with children passing through Springer’s classroom. All of which underline what a caring person and teacher these children were lucky to have in their lives.
Read the reviews and buy the book:Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
About Pete Springer
I’m a retired elementary teacher (31 years) who will always be a strong advocate for children, education, and teachers. My favorite thing to do as a teacher was to read to my students, and now I’m following my heart and writing children’s books for middle grades.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – and:Amazon UK – Read more reviews:Goodreads – Website: Pete Springer WordPress – Twitter: @OfficerWoof
Thanks for visiting today and I hope you have enjoyed my review for Pete’s book and will head over to buy.. thanks Sally
Excellent review of Pete’s book, Sally. His dedication and heart comes through loud and clear. Congrats to Pete!
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I does Diana.. every child should have a Mr. Singer in their classroom..xx
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I agree. It’s not an easy job and some people pull it off with bells on. 🙂
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My #1 tip for new teachers is to let your kids know you love them and will do anything for them, and they will pay you back many times over. Dedication and heart are prerequisites for teaching.
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🙂 🙂
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I think elementary education teachers perhaps don’t get the credit they deserve. Early literacy and numeracy are essential for every child to be successful in life.
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Very important Liz.. xx
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I typically felt very supported by the parents. One curious element about the American educational system (I’m interested if this phenomenon is the same in other countries) is that the parents seem to become less involved the older their children get. My wife was a preschool teacher and then director, so no shortage of talk about early literacy in our family.
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Do you think that the decrease in parental involvement might be because teachers of the younger children need early literaary instruction reinforced at home by parents?
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That was a wonderful review, Sally – Pete is a real inspiration. Toni x
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Thanks Toni..hugsx
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Thanks for the kind words, Toni. The past two years have been a challenge for students and teachers alike. I know most of my former colleagues are hoping that things will return to “normal this coming fall.”
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It’s great to see Pete and his book being featured here with your great review, Sally. I love Pete’s book also. He IS a wonderful teacher. ❤
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He is Miriam and wonderful that he has shared his experiences with us all and an invaluable guide for the younger generation of teachers..xx♥
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I was a mentor teacher for five years. Many new teachers coming out from college don’t know what to do. Someone guide them to look ahead help them to do planning.
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Thanks for your comment, Miriam. I considered going your route and becoming an administrator at one time, but I would have missed being in the classroom with students too much.
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It sure was a choice, Pete, with different fulfillments. You’ve made direct influence to students.
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Thanks so much for this wonderful review, Sally. I’m already been retired for five years and my last class is starting high school next year. I just heard from one of my students who wrote to let me know she just landed her first teaching job. Middle school—a challenging but also fun age.
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My pleasure Pete.. delighted to share again. Time flies when you are having fun lol.. and how wonderful that your former student thought of letting you know her news.. clearly you are firmly entrenched in their lives..xx
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Great to find Pete and this awesome review for “They Cal Me Mom” at your place today, Sally! SHARING!
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Wonderful thanks Bette…have a lovely weekend..hugsx
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Wishing you and Pete the same, Sally! ❤
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♥
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Thanks so much, Bette. Thanks for everything that you’ve done in your career as an educator. You might appreciate that when we were in Minnesota for our family reunion, I went out butterflying with my brother. He’s been into beetles lately, and we went in search of these green iridescent tiger beetles. Who thought beetles could be beautiful? https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/tiger-beetles
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I love Pete’s stories and am looking forward to reading this. Wonderful review Sal ❤
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Thanks Debby ♥
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Nice to see you back blogging a little bit more, Debby. I hope you manage to start doing some traveling soon. I have a feeling that it will be good for your soul.
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Thanks so much Pete. I’m just wetting my feet. And you are so right Pete, I need to get out of here so badly for distance. It’s been a most horrendous year, and still trying to get settled after a horrendous move. More on that to come. 🙂
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I enjoyed your review, Sally. Congratulations to Pete.
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Thanks very much John..hugsx
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Thanks, John. You might appreciate this as a dog owner. Today I was staining my deck and had the deck blocked off with sawhorses. Lulu leaped over them to come say hello. I couldn’t even get mad at her.
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Lucky she didn’t go into the white carpeted living room
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Lol where there is a will there is a way… xx
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I loved this book and your review is wonderful. Pete devised so many different ways to help his pupils survive in the real world. They learned life-long lessons along with the standard curriculum.xx
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Thanks Alex and for adding your recommendation.. I wish all children could have a teach like Pete at that age.. I was lucky and had Mrs Miller and 65 years on I can still remember her face very clearly…xx
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I appreciated your thoughtful review, Trish. I’m going out to lunch with one of my former students (nineteen now) tomorrow. It’s such a kick to see them as adults.
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How wonderful to see Pete featured here with an awesome review! Thank you, Sally!
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Thanks Jan.. a terrific book.. xxx♥
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Thanks, Jan. Sending positive thoughts to your sister and the rest of the family.
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Thanks for sharing Michael…hugsx
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Sounds like a good book to read
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I enjoyed very much Sue… xx
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A great review, Sally! Give me the chance of a second read of the book, and i think i will be able also write an review. Wish me luck, but the English language sometimes is so detailled. Lol xx Michael
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I am sure Pete will be delighted to read a review from you Michael..hugsxx
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Lets hope i will get closer to more fluently writing. Dont forget, he is a teacher. 😉 xx Michael
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I still check my notes and comments in Spanish and French through Google Translate and it is much better than it used to be.. I used to worry that I was insulting people… lol..hugsxx
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing Pete’s book Michael..hugsx
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Thanks so much, Michael, and for your always supportive nature.
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I enjoyed this book and Sally makes points I didn’t mention in my review and should have. Like Pete being “a dedicated teacher, but also an observer of human nature”. So true and something I also see in his blog posts.
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Thanks Jacqui.. I thought the books was wonderful and Pete came across as a dedicated teacher and very warm person who inspired trust in his students and an eagerness to learn..xx
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As you know, Jacqui, from one teacher to another, we’re always paying attention to what’s going on. I may be retired, but I’m still paying attention to what’s happening in the education world.
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You wouldn’t think so much could change! Lots of disruptors in our chosen profession.
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always good to be rminded of Pete’s book; it was such a good read…
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Thanks for your regular support, Jim. You know I never miss a day on your entertaining and thought-provoking blog.
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and I always appreciate your comments!
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Great review. Best wishes to Pete. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. I’m about halfway through The Vanished Boy right now. I had a feeling that Mike was up to no good. Great read so far!
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Thrilled you’re enjoying the book, Pete! 😁😁😁
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