This book made me laugh out loud. On every. Single. Page. Mostly because I love the voices of the authors, but also because it's so unbelievably relatable. I've been a teacher for nearly 10 years and if I haven't had something very similar happen to myself or my students, I have a friend who has, or it's just so unbelievable that I can fully picture it happening at a school. Seriously, if you're not a teacher or work in a school, things just sound outrageous, but we really work on a "Yeah, I believe that" mindset.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone. Teachers, get ready to laugh as you cry into your morning coffee or shovel down your 5 minute lunch. Non-teachers, read this and you'll laugh, but hopefully you'll also gain some respect for our profession.

Laugh out loud funny. Unexpected stories. Total fun.

Teaching, would you do it? I would not as teachers give so much extra and they get so little reward, but when they do its sometimes in the form of a story to be shared to the masses.

I'm sure glad I sent my kids to a private school. Further, I'm also glad that one of my daughters decided not to become a teacher, which is orignally what she wanted to do. This book was well written, although I am concerned about the language some teachers seem to use to express themselves.

As a teacher myself, I definitely laughed and cried. It was nice to hear stories from other educators, and to know that I wasn’t alone. I could relate to so many of these stories, and I can’t wait to pass this off to all of my teacher friends!

A good insight to how it must feel to be a teacher at times.
As a parent I often wonder what the back story is like in the playground and this helped understand education form the teachers perspective.
So very appreciative of all that they do for our children.

So much of my family is employed in an educational setting from elementary school through to college. I always love hearing my moms silly stories from the elementary students and my husband’s stories from university students.

This book multiplied my appreciation for educators and the crazy situations they face from students, parents and administration.

As a teacher it is important to read books like this so that you do not feel so all alone in the craziness. There is a "misery loves company" vibe here that helps you feel connected to other teachers. But I also love how it isn't just about how hard teaching is. The book reminds us why we still show up day after day, year after year: Our kids.

I love reading stories from other educators. It reminds me that I am not alone, and that every teacher endures similar experiences. When it boils down to it, young people are very similar and the experiences of working with them makes you shake your head while also smiling.

I have my degree in education, so I enjoy reading novels and memoirs relating to teaching. I always wonder if I made the right decision...and this was a GREAT read to enjoy more! It's funny, sad, and everything in between.

If you ever wanted to know what teacher's deal with, this is the book for you. The things there students came up with. Variety of interactions between teacher and students. Some are funny, some are not. I found it to be a quick read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

A collection of stories and anecdotes from "the other side of the desk." Many stories in this collection are humorous, but some show the sad state of affairs in the world of public education, especially highlighting the lack of support given to teachers by many parents and administrators.

As a 21-year veteran in public education, many of the incidents rang true, but there were several that made me raise an eyebrow and cringe a little, because they came across as very defensive on the teacher's part and made me sure there was a very big "other side of the story." Some of the stories clearly showed a teacher lacking classroom management skills and not supervising their students well (the story of the Kindergarten classroom which had two students under the table with their pants down - and then the teacher left the room! being one such example).

Teaching is a hard gig, and this book is a quick read for educators who will likely commiserate with many of the stories and will be able to recall similar moments of their own. There is "salty" language throughout, and again, some scenes that bordered on negligence on the teacher's part. I would not blanket recommend this to educators, but there are many who would enjoy it.

4.5 star rating - I’m not a teacher, but I worked at a summer camp when I was in college, so I’ve had to deal with kids of all ages and many of my coworkers/friends at camp work as teachers during the year.. that being said, I know some kids say and do ridiculous things. This compilation of stories is straight up hilarious, and it definitely is a good read after a rough year (aka 2020). I found myself not wanting to put it down. Although some stories were anonymous, I kept wishing every story had the city of where the event happened in the title.

Another great read from Teacher Misery and I have to say, it’s painfully accurate. I especially liked the addition at the end about this spring’s distance learning. Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!

The blood, guts, and glory of being an educator; the moments shared in “What It’s Really Like” may sound fictitious, but are truly what we as educators experience. There is a reason why so many teachers enter the profession ambitious and wanting to make a difference, and leave battered, bruised, and unable to recognize their former selves before they stepped foot into a classroom.

This book, in my opinion, should be distributed to all college students who are considering to become educators, and given to people currently employed as teachers. In today’s society, educators are often treated as Whipping Boys, by both parents and administration. It is my hope, with more educators opening up about their personal experiences, and treatment of personnel is exposed more publicly, dialogue can finally begin on how to solve issues collectively, where everyone is “on the same team.”

Not only does this book bring to light the treatment of teachers, but it also shares some of the funnier or more peculiar incidents that can occur when being a teacher working with children. Having education majors read this will help them understand ahead of time that you truly need to expect the unexpected, and nothing is “off limits” to what can happen in a classroom.

For me, it was a relief to hear other peoples’ stories from all areas of the U.S., so I could realize I am not alone in my feelings.

Most of all, this is a pertinent reflection on our society at this time. Along with being entertained, it is my hope people will also reflect on the behaviors described throughout the book, so positive adjustments can be made to parenting, being a leader, or being a decent person towards others.

If I learned anything from this book, its that teachers are not paid enough or appreciated enough for all they do.

What Its Really Like is a roller-coaster of stories - some heartwarming, some hilarious, and some absolutely horrific. Teachers have to deal with entitled students, ungrateful parents and clueless administration, and absolutely do not get the praise and recognition they deserve.

After 30 years as an educator I found this book amusing and sadly true. Administrations have changed over the years that are less than helpful in defending a classroom teacher. The book is a good balance of the bad vs. the humorous and good. It should be read by any student thinking of becoming an educator for a real life look at a potentially fulfilling career. Many retired teachers could add their own stories to the ones in the book. Could easily be a What It's really like,part 2, 3 etc. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This collection was a fun and thought provoking peek into the lives of teachers. I loved that this book really took a wide and varied approach to collecting these stories. Teaching is not a one size fits all profession. I'm sure just about every teacher has a few of these stories!
This would be a great pick for someone contemplating a career in education or if you'd just like to know what it's really like! First hand accounts are much better at that job than movies and Tv; Or our own inconsistent memories from back in our school days.

really enjoyed this although it was American it shows there is not much difference between British and American children and the challenges of teaching. Good mix of stories, funny, heart warming and well stories that make me glad I work in the lovely school I do. The recommended for teachers who need a laugh, or for parents to understand teachers challenges and why we deserve our salary.

Teaching is a thankless job. Nowhere is that more evident than this book. So strap in for the tales in this book by Jane Morris. We get barely literate students, enabling parents and venal administrators. It's a wonder teachers get anything done when they're beset by misfortune on so many fronts.

I'm a huge fan of omnibus books like this one. You can read this anywhere. The stories are all short enough to read while in line, waiting on someone to get ready, or just to consume ten or twenty at a time. Any more than 20 in one siting made me despair about the rapidly deteriorating state of our schools.

I haven't read Morris's other books yet, but I will be doing so. I recommend this book.

I am the only sibling out of four that is not a teacher and I find myself envious of their leisurely summers each year. Maybe not so much now. This is a really interesting collection of stories from educators across the country that gives us a glimpse of what it’s really like. I found the bodily functions and lack of administrative support equally disgusting and parental behaviors shocking, but there were a few heartwarming bits as well. A quick enjoyable read.