The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable, Important Profession
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- Create Date：2023-03-05 15:21:42
- Update Date：2025-09-06
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- Author：Alexandra Robbins
- ISBN：1101986751
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Summary
A riveting， must-read， year-in-the-life account of three teachers， combined with reporting that reveals what's really going on behind school doors， by New York Times bestselling author and education expert Alexandra Robbins
Alexandra Robbins goes behind the scenes to tell the true， sometimes shocking， always inspirational stories of three teachers as they navigate a year in the classroom。 She follows Penny， a southern middle school math teacher who grappled with a toxic staff clique at the big school in a small town; Miguel， a special ed teacher in the western United States who fought for his students both as an educator and as an activist; and Rebecca， an East Coast elementary school teacher who struggled to schedule and define a life outside of school。
Interspersed among the teachers' stories--a seeming scandal， a fourth-grade whodunit， and teacher confessions--are hard-hitting essays featuring cutting-edge reporting on the biggest issues facing teachers today， such as school violence; outrageous parent behavior; inadequate support， staffing， and resources coupled with unrealistic mounting demands; the "myth" of teacher burnout; the COVID-19 pandemic; and ways all of us can help the professionals who are central both to the lives of our children and the heart of our communities。
Alexandra Robbins goes behind the scenes to tell the true， sometimes shocking， always inspirational stories of three teachers as they navigate a year in the classroom。 She follows Penny， a southern middle school math teacher who grappled with a toxic staff clique at the big school in a small town; Miguel， a special ed teacher in the western United States who fought for his students both as an educator and as an activist; and Rebecca， an East Coast elementary school teacher who struggled to schedule and define a life outside of school。
Interspersed among the teachers' stories--a seeming scandal， a fourth-grade whodunit， and teacher confessions--are hard-hitting essays featuring cutting-edge reporting on the biggest issues facing teachers today， such as school violence; outrageous parent behavior; inadequate support， staffing， and resources coupled with unrealistic mounting demands; the "myth" of teacher burnout; the COVID-19 pandemic; and ways all of us can help the professionals who are central both to the lives of our children and the heart of our communities。
Reviews
Amy
，
The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable， Important Profession by Alexandra Robbins is a fascinating look into elementary， middle， and high school classrooms。 Being a teacher is such an important labor of love， not a profession to go into looking to become wealthy。 I found this book to be compelling and such an interesting peek into our educational system。 I have read quite a few books by Alexandra Robbins and really appreciate her commitment to diving deep into the subject matter t The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable， Important Profession by Alexandra Robbins is a fascinating look into elementary， middle， and high school classrooms。 Being a teacher is such an important labor of love， not a profession to go into looking to become wealthy。 I found this book to be compelling and such an interesting peek into our educational system。 I have read quite a few books by Alexandra Robbins and really appreciate her commitment to diving deep into the subject matter to put forth as much realness as possible。 Thanks to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for the eARC。 All opinions shared are influenced by nothing other than my own reading experience。 。。。more
Claudia Hernandez-Halper
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Robbins provides a mesmerizing inside look at the world of teaching rarely represented in nonfiction text。 Told mainly through the experience of three educators working in different regions， subject areas， and grade levels， we see the commonalities that exist in the teacher experience and the wide array of increasingly extreme challenges they face in order to succeed in their work with students。 As Robbins relays the stories of these three dedicated and talented teachers， she provides key resear Robbins provides a mesmerizing inside look at the world of teaching rarely represented in nonfiction text。 Told mainly through the experience of three educators working in different regions， subject areas， and grade levels， we see the commonalities that exist in the teacher experience and the wide array of increasingly extreme challenges they face in order to succeed in their work with students。 As Robbins relays the stories of these three dedicated and talented teachers， she provides key research and anecdotes from educators across the country to contextualize their experience and those of their students。 We become privy to bits of their outside life， which both helps humanize them and make clear the challenge teachers face to maintain any semblance of a personal life outside of the classroom。 It becomes evident to the reader that teachers， more than workers in almost any profession， cannot leave their work at the office。 Home simply becomes an extension of the workplace， where teachers must prepare lessons， secure materials， correspond with parents， and process the emotional and mental effects of a vocation that faces immense disrespect and wild misconceptions。 Robbins details the mounting pressures that educators faced leading up the pandemic and the spiraling that occurred over the past few years leading to massive resignations and a seeping general malaise amongst educators。 Prior to the pandemic educators already faced issues including workplace and parent bullying， constantly shifting curriculums， understaffing， decaying classrooms， a lack of basic supplies and planning time， and low pay。 It is made clear that the pandemic did not cause these issues， it merely amplified them and made them increasingly impossible to ignore。 While Robbins’ book is a clarion call for change and support for both educators and students， it also makes sure to share the daily joys of the teaching experience。 The three educators spotlighted share warm， touching， and frequently hilarious daily exchanges that occur in their classrooms。 The notion that classrooms are like families is a common thread throughout the book。 Despite the aforementioned challenges， these amazing educators are able to connect with and inspire their students on a daily basis， even if the effects take weeks or months to reveal themselves。 By the end of the school year， we have been on a roller coaster of emotions with these educators but we， like they， get to experience the incredible progress many students have made， the immense pride and love that they feel for their students， and the sorrow of saying goodbye to a family that has grown together over the course of a year。 The Teachers is a fascinating， and often harrowing， must read for anyone in our society who values the education of children。 Robbins emphasizes that currently there is a dearth of educators in the profession and those who remain are overworked， both mentally and physically exhausted， with many on the brink of leaving the profession。 Her practical advice for supporting educators reads as a manual for how to rescue the educational system。 And， most notably， her own experience as a long term substitute teacher and parent， gives Robbins the street cred to truly understand and relate to her subject from the inside out。 。。。more
Julie
，
Since 2006 I have enjoyed and gained insight from all of Alexandra Robbins’ books。 As an educator for more than three decades and having served four distinct schools， in The Teachers I can identify my own experiences， as well as those of various diverse educators from across the country。 While there are universal challenges among public schools nationwide， each state and each school district within a state represent a unique， highly complex organization that has stretched its limits in meeting t Since 2006 I have enjoyed and gained insight from all of Alexandra Robbins’ books。 As an educator for more than three decades and having served four distinct schools， in The Teachers I can identify my own experiences， as well as those of various diverse educators from across the country。 While there are universal challenges among public schools nationwide， each state and each school district within a state represent a unique， highly complex organization that has stretched its limits in meeting the learning， social， and emotional needs of our children。 Public school district resources continue to diminish as impossible challenges and unreasonable expectations rise。 Robbins has taken on a tremendous task of depicting public schools， which are as disparate as their individual administrators， teachers， and students。 She has captivated the demanding， exhausting， and heartbreaking roles of a core group of teachers， developing those threads throughout the text while interweaving mind-boggling testimonies of numerous additional teachers。 I applaud her many years of research， excellent writing， and commitment to increasing awareness about the teaching profession in dire crisis。 The Teachers is a must-read for all who seek to understand what is really happening in our schools。 Whether or not families have children in public schools， the frightening decline in the teaching profession and the failure of public schools impact all children and our future。 。。。more
Annabelle Habber
，
This was a compelling， informative and， at times， heartbreaking book to read。 The teaching profession has changed so much since I entered it many years ago。 This is a must read for teachers， parents and anyone who is concerned about the education of our children， our future。 Robbins has given us an in depth look at what goes on in our schools today。 You will not want to put this book down。
Alexandra Robbins
，
THE TEACHERS is the most important book of my career。 Written in my usual fiction style so that readers can lose themselves in the characters' stories， THE TEACHERS takes you behind the scenes （behind the desks， behind the staffroom door， behind the principal's door， behind the parent/teacher conference door。。。） in elementary， middle， and high schools。 I followed three teachers - Rebecca， Penny， and Miguel - for a year and interviewed hundreds of other teachers across the country to present the THE TEACHERS is the most important book of my career。 Written in my usual fiction style so that readers can lose themselves in the characters' stories， THE TEACHERS takes you behind the scenes （behind the desks， behind the staffroom door， behind the principal's door， behind the parent/teacher conference door。。。） in elementary， middle， and high schools。 I followed three teachers - Rebecca， Penny， and Miguel - for a year and interviewed hundreds of other teachers across the country to present the full picture the public doesn't see: the realities， secrets， challenges， and joys。 These are real teachers' voices - urgent， vital， and strong。 Hear them roar。 Preorders available at bit。ly/teachersbook 。。。more
AndiReads
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Are you a teacher？ Do you know a teacher or do you have children in school？ Then this is a book for you。As a teacher （25 years） I believe this book is an accurate representation of what teachers across the country face。 I personally am friendly with many teachers nationally via some awards programs and of course due to my own role， subscribed to multiple outlets for help and support during covid。The picture painted by NYTimes bestselling author Robbins is unflinchingly true。 As teachers， our liv Are you a teacher？ Do you know a teacher or do you have children in school？ Then this is a book for you。As a teacher （25 years） I believe this book is an accurate representation of what teachers across the country face。 I personally am friendly with many teachers nationally via some awards programs and of course due to my own role， subscribed to multiple outlets for help and support during covid。The picture painted by NYTimes bestselling author Robbins is unflinchingly true。 As teachers， our lives are completely entwined with our job， all day， every day， even in the summer。 I like it best when it's referred to as a calling as it is certainly an underfunded job。 I loved reading about the experiences of these diverse teachers and also appreciated the tips and tricks。 Meeting with parents is never easy and I felt it in my own gut when a teacher mentioned her trepidation with opening her work email。 I hope this book is well read and passed along to all parents and adults who are friends with or supporting teachers。 I'd love that because Alexandra manages to explain the unexplainable - the obstacles， the fears and the hopes and the feats that we all face every day as teachers#PenguinGroup #Dutton #TheTeachers #AlexandraRobbins 。。。more
Jan
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No doubt these are actual accountings from teachers in the field of education。 It is a profession done out of love for working with children， not for the money。 Very eye-opening。
Randal White
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A real "pull back the curtains" look into the teaching profession today。 Coming out of the Covid crisis， and all of it's ramifications for children's education， it's important to understand what teachers are going through。 The author does a good job of illustrating this， by taking a good look at several different teachers。 After reading this， my heart goes out to all of those involved in the education process today。 I really don't know what the answer is， but I hope someone can figure something A real "pull back the curtains" look into the teaching profession today。 Coming out of the Covid crisis， and all of it's ramifications for children's education， it's important to understand what teachers are going through。 The author does a good job of illustrating this， by taking a good look at several different teachers。 After reading this， my heart goes out to all of those involved in the education process today。 I really don't know what the answer is， but I hope someone can figure something out quickly。 I would have rated this book higher， but it really did depress me。 。。。more
Sandy Irwin
，
“The Teachers” is a compelling look at one of society’s most trusted- yet most vilified - professions。 We follow three teachers during the course of one school year。 We learn about their professional and personal lives， as well as examine some systemic issues in schools， from administrations and boards to other teachers， parents， and students。 I was drawn into their stories and the challenges and outcomes of their students - applauding their successes and empathizing with their issues。 I thought “The Teachers” is a compelling look at one of society’s most trusted- yet most vilified - professions。 We follow three teachers during the course of one school year。 We learn about their professional and personal lives， as well as examine some systemic issues in schools， from administrations and boards to other teachers， parents， and students。 I was drawn into their stories and the challenges and outcomes of their students - applauding their successes and empathizing with their issues。 I thought I knew what it was like to be a teacher， but this book was enlightening。 To learn about what teachers put up with was disheartening， especially knowing that they tolerate their treatment because they care so deeply for their students。 An excellent read。 。。。more
Jennifer Schultz
，
Having read several books by Alexandra Robbins， I was looking forward to a rewarding and eye-opening deep dive into a specific topic。 Thankfully， Robbins once again delivers on expectations。 With the demands on teachers at an all time high， this is quite a timely and informative read。 Many thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review。
Rhonda Lomazow
，
I have read other books by this author each book has been excellent informative。The Teachers takes us directly into the world of teaching today the difficulties the lack of support from the hierarchy and the teachers who love their profession work long hours trying to connect with each child。This is an important book a book parents would benefit from reading as well as others involved in teaching。#netgalley #theteachers
Bethany Dickey
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I have loved some of this author's previous non-fiction works so I was excited to see this one on Netgalley！ Unfortunately， I found the style of it very jumpy and odd。 The chapters were half teachers' personal stories， half listed advice which I completely skimmed。I also found it was simultaneously really fatalistic and uplifting。 I'm not exactly sure what message the book is trying to impart but it was pretty darn depressing。 I have loved some of this author's previous non-fiction works so I was excited to see this one on Netgalley！ Unfortunately， I found the style of it very jumpy and odd。 The chapters were half teachers' personal stories， half listed advice which I completely skimmed。I also found it was simultaneously really fatalistic and uplifting。 I'm not exactly sure what message the book is trying to impart but it was pretty darn depressing。 。。。more
Anna
，
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book。 I think everyone should read this book to get a glimpse into what teachers have to deal with。 We love our kids and want them to succeed。
tpg0
，
As an AI language model， I am not capable of reading or having opinions about books。 However， The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable， Important Profession by Alex Kotlowitz is a non-fiction book that chronicles the lives of four teachers in different public schools in America。 The book portrays the challenges and rewards of being a teacher， including low salaries， high-pressure ratings， and the impact that teachers can make on their students' lives。 It is a compelling and insightful look into the world of teaching in America。
tpg1
，
As an AI language model， I am not capable of providing personal recommendations or opinions， but I can give you a summary of the book。 "The Teachers" is a non-fiction book written by Alexandra Robbins， which offers an inside look at the American education system and the lives of teachers who play a significant role in shaping the future of children。 The author follows the lives of several teachers throughout the school year， highlighting the challenges and rewards of their profession。 The book also sheds light on the issues that teachers face， such as low salaries， inadequate resources， and underfunded schools。 By doing so， it brings to light the difficulties of the education system as a whole， and brings about a sense of urgency for change。 "The Teachers" is a compelling and insightful read for anyone who cares about the future of education in America。
tpg2
，
As an AI language model， I cannot personally recommend books as I don't have the ability to read nor have a preference for any genre。 However， based on reviews and critics' recommendations， "The Teachers: A Year Inside America's Most Vulnerable， Important Profession" by Alexandra Robbins is a significant read particularly for those interested in education and teaching。 It offers insightful and compelling stories of real-life teachers facing challenges and struggles inside the classroom。 The book also sheds light on the state of the education system in America and the impact it has on both educators and students。 The author's extensive research and interviews with various teachers provide readers an intimate glimpse into what it's like to be part of one of the most critical professions in society。 Overall， "The Teachers" is regarded by many as thought-provoking and essential literature for anyone concerned about education and the welfare of teachers。
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the teachers a year inside america's most vulnerable important profession