Hello everyone! Today I have a special announcement: Teach Me, Teacher: Life Lessons That Taught Me How to be a Better Teacher is now available for purchase!
To celebrate, I took some time to talk about the book, and read a few pages from the opening chapter.
I hope that you’ll take the time to listen and read the book. I wrote it for you.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jacob Chastain grew up in an environment filled with drugs and violence. Inside the home that should have felt safe, fear and anxiety were the desperate norm. Stability and security eluded him as he was shuffled between family and friends that would take him in. But at school, things were different. There, day after day, year after year, Chastain’s teachers saved him.
Teach Me, Teacher is the true story of a childhood marked by heartache—a story that may be similar to that of the children sitting in your classroom. It’s the story that shaped Jacob Chastain into the educator he is today. Lessons learned from his experiences as a child and as a growing educator offer reflections on the trials and triumphs facing teachers and students everywhere. From these lessons, we learn that one’s darkest moments can ultimately lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life when someone cares enough to step in and make a difference.
Written in celebration of teachers and the power of education, Teach Me, Teacher affirms that you have the power to save a life.
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PRAISE FOR TEACH ME, TEACHER
“Jacob Chastain pours his heart out on the pages of Teach Me, Teacher by sharing his personal journey through childhood trauma. His message that “action is the antidote to suffering” is a powerful reminder to us all to do more, be more, understand more, and care more for our students.” —Kim Bearden, co-founder and executive director, The Ron Clark Academy, author of Talk to Me
“Teach Me, Teacher is one of the most courageous, heartbreaking, hopeful books I’ve ever read.” —Regie Routman, author of Literacy Essentials
“Jacob Chastain’s raw honesty is something that we need more of in the education world.” —Halee Sikorski, A Latte Learning
“Teach Me, Teacher is both an uplifting memoir and a message to all of us in education of the power we have to build relationships and make a difference for all of our students.” —Dr. Sue Szachowicz, senior fellow, Successful Practices Network
“Jacob Chastain takes us on a transformational journey where past and present converge into possibility. His story of resilience and hope is a celebration of the impact each of us can have when professional purpose leads the way.” —Dr. Mary Howard, author of Good to Great Teaching
“Everyone has their past, and Jacob’s had challenges. At times raw and emotional, this book allows you to experience Jacob’s journey towards understanding, acceptance, and redemption. Jacob shares example after example of how negatives in life can open doors, and his experiences can help the reader to better define a sense of purpose.” —Evan Robb, author of The Ten-Minute Principal and coauthor of TeamMakers
“My heart bled for children of shattered and dysfunctional families when I read Jacob Chastain’s Teach Me, Teacher. Jacob has an insight many of us don’t inherently have as teachers. His powerful story is a reminder that as teachers, we can and do make major impacts in the lives of our students. I applaud Jacob’s willingness to be open and share his story. His book is filled with life lessons for us all, both in and out of the classroom.” —Haley Curfman, elementary educator, The Weary Teacher
“Jacob Chastain has done something that is extremely difficult—he has shared parts of his abusive childhood as well as his teaching experiences to show how he transformed negatives into positives to create a meaningful life, start his own family, and becoming a reflective teacher who responds to his students’ needs. By sharing his painful memories, Jacob teaches us how to move away from them and focus on helping others. And that’s exactly what he does every day in the classroom and through his outstanding podcasts with educators. By sharing his story, Jacob invites us to reflect on our stories in order to learn about life, relationships, teaching, and learning.” —Laura Robb, coauthor of TeamMakers
“Jacob bares his soul in Teach Me, Teacher with a personal memoir that shares life-changing moments that have crafted who he is today. The story becomes even more powerful when he describes the impact of his teachers and how they provided him with safety and love when he needed it the most. This book is a must-read for all those who know a child who is going through challenging times.” —Adam Dovico, principal, Moore Magnet ES, author of The Limitless School and Inside the Trenches
“We know many of us—students and teachers—have experienced trauma. By sharing his own vulnerability, Jacob Chastain urges us to do better—for our kids, colleagues, and the world. In an authentic voice, Teach Me, Teacher is a desperate plea to make our classrooms and schools safe and accepting places of refuge.” —Jeff Anderson, author of Patterns of Power, 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know, Mechanically Inclined, Zack Delacruz, Just My Luck, and Upstaged
“Teach Me, Teacher is essential guidance for the next generation of educators. It speaks to all of us—seasoned and green—with warmth and inescapable truths. Jacob Chastain shares his personal journey and thoughtfully connects it with the daily happenings of the classroom, reminding us that every single child we teach has their own story with a past, present, and future. The highly relatable lessons are told with a freshness and honesty unique to Jacob. Teach Me, Teacher is a great addition to every educator’s bookshelf!” —Marie Morris, high school ELA teacher, The Caffeinated Classroom
“Get ready for a journey that will make you laugh, cry, smile, and appreciate life and the amazing opportunity you have to impact the lives of your students. Jacob digs deep here, sharing stories that delve into his soul and the life that has made him the incredible educator (and person) he is today. Through his storytelling, you’ll not only find inspiration but also practical mindset shifts and changes you can make today. Jacob shows us how to embrace negatives as positives, see the opportunities to make an impact even in seemingly bleak moments, and the power we have to use our passion, energy, and roles to change the lives of others. I suspect we’ll begin to see Teach Me, Teacher at the top of must-read lists for years to come.” —Jeff Gargas, COO/cofounder, Teach Better Team (teachbetter.com)
“I have followed Jacob Chastain on social media for years and he is the real deal. I was so excited when I found out he was writing Teach Me, Teacher, and I must say it does not disappoint. You’ll want to join Jacob again and again as he not only shares his own story but also shares great ideas and resources along the way as well. I couldn’t put this book down, and I bet you won’t be able to either!” —Todd Nesloney, award-winning author and educator #KidsDeserveIt
“Jacob has found a way to harness the energy of teachers all across the country! His lessons sum up the importance of education and the promising future of the field. This book displays the kind of pride in education we need!” —Esther Brunat, high school educator
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