This is my first year dipping my toes into secondary, outside of subbing, so I really appreciate what J. Morris has done here.

J. Morris has collected a very nice sample of 152 teacher anecdotes and they are organized in such a way that the good is not always overshadowed by the bad in teaching. I particularly loved the intro and the concluding chapter, which really do a nice job of wrapping things up. My favorite? 97. The dog, that was one thing I've experienced, too, but the chicken? And then how the teacher handled it? I literally laughed out loud and scared my cat.

The nice thing that J. Morris has done is reminded those of us who needed it that there is humor and joy still in the profession, especially in these times of COVID. I'm just sad that there was a missed opportunity to include the Zoom "reconecting" meme, which is a reminder that even if our students and profession is changing, some things just never do.

I also appreciated the use of profanity. Having never been able to drop any in my classroom (for good reason) nor hear anything like it come out of my colleagues' mouths, it was a fresh reminder that teachers are human and curse too.

I did not love this book, but I think it might be a good “bathroom book” or perhaps teachers might enjoy it more.

The book is a series of very short vignettes about being a teacher.
I had thought it would be more like an Erma Bombeck book, with a single voice running through the vignettes.

It was NOT FUNNY to me, just really SAD. If you’re unsure about a teaching job, just read this book and it will 100% put you off teaching.
The things described are so unspeakable and horrid!
It was almost what I’d call misanthropic.

So I can’t recommend this, unless maybe you’re a teacher who wants validation of the horror of your profession.

I received a free copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the author’s third book I’ve read. A collection of stories from real educators - they are always funny and relatable. From gifts from admin to kindergarten show and tell, to student quotes. All of these stories will give teachers a good laugh.

Thank you Jane Morris! I don’t need to write a book of my teaching experiences after all-you’ve done it for me 💯. This book is teacher truth to power and is a must for any teacher feeling alone or unheard. It should be required reading for parents and administrators, though it’s doubtful they will admit to seeing themselves in the anecdotes. I alternately laughed and cried, but couldn’t put it down. I’m recommending it to all my retired teacher friends to remind them why they’re retired and to all my current teacher friends so they can begin to save their own anecdotal records for their future books. thank you, thank you, thank you.

I found this through Netgalley. I am a retired teacher. I taught over thirty years. Sometimes I still think about the things I was required to do. The money I spent on my classroom and students. The disrespect. Odd thing is I really loved my job. The kids who made me smile. The magic moment you saw a child get it. Seeing students you had become teachers. Seeing them raising families. Setting out in careers you never heard of when you were their age. Then, I think of the sad ones who died. The ones whose addiction was bigger than them. The ones sitting in jail that you knew were on that path and wouldn't change.
I left burned out. Not from the kids. From being treated horribly. From not being able to deal with the class troublemakers because they can't be denied an education while their behavior denied all the others. I worked in a Correctional setting 12 years. The guards were little help. I really liked the kids. But trying to deal with other things in my life and watching out for everyone got to be too much.
I read this to validate all the teachers who get up everyday and do it. Who lay awake and worry. Who remember to smile because yours might be the only one a child gets all day.
Everyone needs to read this.

Ever wanted to know the truth from our teachers, our kids teachers our grandkids teachers?! Then this is the book for you. Some stories are hilarious, others dad but true. and others welllllll, just read it. Morris does not disappoint with these stories at all. Maybe you'll look at your teachers with a more appreciated eye.

This book reaffirmed my respect for teachers while confirming I definitely don't have what it takes to be one. It was hilarious, disgusting, infuriating and heartbreaking all at once. With all the grief they get from students, parents, administrators, and sometimes other teachers, it's amazing anyone stays in the profession.

Found this book confusing, and I frankly wanted to throw up every time I saw that cover (seriously couldn't have used something less disgusting?) But the array of stories in there, some turned out to be rather disturbing. Not dismissing that this is the reality of teachers, but it just felt 'off'. Even the foreword felt awkward, making me wonder 'why on earth would I want to read on when this is what I'll be reading about?' Just felt the approach could've been a tad different, less in your face, and a bit more streamlined throughout. Overall, this felt jumbled and confused

A jaded anthology of negative teacher experiences in the classroom. Not humourous or uplifting. I do not recommend What It's Really Like.

Oh man. I burned through this book in one sitting. As an educator, I did not find any of this totally shocking- though one part about a teacher's first day and many many kids vomiting was absolutely horrific. I am here to attest that these stories were hilariously truthfully written and I wish all parents would pick this up and just imagine for one day what it's like to be in our shoes. I also appreciate that this book also acknowledged the joys of our job. Obviously, we love what we do and it's not as thankless as everyone thinks. Do we make the most money in the world? Nah, but we rarely have a boring day at the office and we get to be a part of the lives of a lot of wonderful kids. I loved this. 5 stars. AWESOME!

As a retired teacher I thoroughly enjoyed reading the hilarious and often outrageous stories of classroom teachers. It is an honest depiction of what teachers across North America are dealing with in today's world.A worthwhile read for all!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC inn exchange for an honest review.

This collection of outrageous stories from teachers had me both laughing out loud and wincing in painful recognition..
From less-than-supportive admin, to Twilight Zone classroom situations, to batshit crazy parents, this book pretty much runs the gamut. It’s a short, entertaining glimpse of the most challenging profession out there.
Not only was it thoroughly enjoyable, this book also helped reaffirm my decision to leave the classroom and pursue other things.

The stories in this book are a good look into the life of a teacher. I especially like how it had the positive and negative sides of teaching mixed in the stories. It is easy to focus on the bad parts of teaching, but there are a lot of good things too. Many of the stories made me feel less alone as a teacher; there was someone else that had an experience that made them shake their head.

Shocking, encouraging, mystifying, frightening, horrifying. All words that can be used to describe this book. Chock full of short stories and observations on teaching. I thought that I had seen a lot in my own career, but holy smokes, teaching is something else! After reading this, I have a whole new level of respect for teachers. Out-of-control students, demanding or uncaring parents, and little to no support from administration; it's all in here. I honestly do not know how teachers can keep their sanity, much less their jobs. A really good read! I have already recommended this book to several teaching friends.

What It’s Really Like is a must read for everyone, but especially for teachers. No one truly understand the toll the job of an educator unless it’s another educator. Our tribe understands and sees how motivational and demotivational the job is. To help us not feel alone Jane Morris has collected and shared these stories of triumph and misery in What It’s Really Like. You’ll laugh, relate, and get angry at these stories, because they are true! These stories happen in our buildings in their own way, which is what makes What It’s Really Like a must read!

A blog compilation about one of the world's most entertaining professions. We often talk about how teachers don't get enough credit for all they do, and this book confirms that. Reading this will make you want to hug every one of your teachers (and if you're a parent, it will make you wonder, "Was that my kid???")

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What It's Really Like by Jane Morris is compilation of teacher true confessions. I love the format - short stories, texts & emails - makes it easy to read and keeps it interesting. Most of the entries cracked me up - a few had me shaking my head over the ridiculousness of today's education system and some just absolutely broke my heart :( It's insane to KNOW that these crazy things happen - that parents expect ONE person (and its not them...) to be everything to their child and not support them at the same time???, that administrators do whatever they have to do just to placate those with the biggest mouths (generally the same parents that don't PARENT) and the unrealistic expectations that the "state" puts on tests and progress Our education system needs a serious overhaul - teachers should be able to TEACH. This is a great book for any parent of a school aged child - and any legislator that has the POWER to control what goes on in the schools :( My niece is a school teacher, as is my best friend - and I will be sharing this book with them.
I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was hilarious! An interesting snapshot of the bizarre, heartwarming, hilarious, dangerous and difficult job teachers do and what they are faced with daily in their classrooms. I loved the format of short stories mixed with insane emails from helicopter parents and students and emails from the unsupportive admins. I laughed out loud countless times and have a new appreciation for the profession!

This book was brilliantly hilarious and gave good insights to teaching, an understated profession! I laughed at a lot of the moments, got angry at others, and felt touched with the successes. I loved it.

Wow! I've never read a more "true" book about what it's like to be an educator. So many of these stories resonated with me, and I found myself laughing aloud through several of the anecdotes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and recommend it for any educator or someone looking to get a glimpse into what being in the classroom is "really like."