180 Days: A Teacher's Diary through One Epic School Year by Sofia Faye Burke

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180 Days is a fly on the wall experience into a high school classroom over one full school year (180 days to be exact).

Written as a diary by a teacher who was struggling to cope with everything from educational reform to school shootings, this work unfolds via the teachers’ lens of controlled chaos in a broken system. This book takes the reader on a journey from the dilemma of how to make it to the restroom and back before the bell rings to the agony of an active shooter training day, including acceptance of a newfound form of professional development.

Mrs. Burke writes about the daily challenges and rewards of life within the four walls of her classroom. The work is gritty, hilarious, and heart breaking at the same time. Hang on, a school year is one wild ride.

Read an Excerpt

Day 19: The business manager of the district stopped in to grace me with his presence today during my class. Wow. I am honored but, er eh um. Awkward? Duh, uh, I am teaching a class. Does he see the students? Can’t say that to him, as he is one step away from superintendent. He had pressing matters that were of the utmost importance, hence the interruption of my instruction. He had to check on my new chairs that he so graciously purchased for my classroom and he had to lecture me about how important it is that the ‘el cheapo’ chairs not fall apart. There is history here.

The previous chairs they purchased for my classroom were of such poor construction that the screws in the backs of the chairs would twist out as if a ghost were using an invisible screwdriver and whoops, down goes another unsuspecting kid. Hence the work order. Come to think of it, maybe the school is haunted? Nah. One fine day, one of my football students stretched, the chair simply stretched with him and folded backwards like melting plastic. Rather frightening at the time as my helpless student was backward like a crab, feet and hands holding him in place. He was okay, but in the end, wheels continued to pop off with zero force and the backs of the chairs would rattle with loose screws. Oh, and the seat would snap in half if you were more than 100 pounds and did not sit precisely as to not have your cheeks caught in between hard plastic. Not comfortable and not cool. The new chairs he ordered are the same crappy plastic chairs we have breaking now. Not sure how to tell him that he chose poorly when ordering classroom furniture. I can’t bring myself to tell him of his poor choice as he gives me the creeps.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/180-Days-Teachers-Through-School/dp/1733043632/ref=sr_1_1
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ASofia+Faye+Burke&s=relevancerank&text=Sofia+Faye+Burke&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

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