How introspection, philosophy, and heartfelt bullshit can help you survive and thrive with your sanity, self-respect, and sense of humor intact.
Lessons from a Career Educator
An honest and introspective look at a teacher's life. From early childhood through his retirement, Burke shares stories and lessons learned that helped him and can help you make it to the finish line. This is not the story of a Magical Teacher. Burke is an average individual working hard to be a good educator by trying first to be a decent person. Most of his anecdotes will make you laugh, some will make you cry (the good cry), a few will make you cringe, but all will make you think.
About the Author :
Over the course of his career, Mike Burke taught English and coached a variety of men's and women's sports and activities at five different high schools in the suburbs of Chicago. (He was also on the Dark Side for seven years.) Now retired, his debut memoir-in-essays looks back on the lessons learned through a lifetime in education. Married for over 40 years, he and his wife have four adult children and seven grandchildren. Aside from enjoying plenty of family time, he complements his new "career" as an author by giving boxing lessons, announcing high school basketball games, and facilitating a local Writers Workshop. A dynamic speaker, Burke has presented at state and local conferences on leadership, athletics, and classroom pedagogy. His experiences as a teacher and coach continue to inspire his writing and his message. His next book, Run, is currently under construction.
Review :
Burke's writing is honest and engaging...(He) invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, whether as teachers, parents, or simply as individuals seeking to live meaningfully. The essays are not just about teaching-they are about learning from every moment, whether painful or joyful, and using those lessons to become better at whatever we do...As someone who enjoys stories that make me laugh and think, I found myself both entertained and moved. Lessons Learned is a wonderful reminder that life's best lessons often come from the most unexpected places.-Mansoor Ahmed, Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review
Fan-fu##ing-tastic! The combination of personal and practical philosophy joined alongside a spattering of professional pedagogy creates a completely original read, unlike anything I've experienced. This blend of work with life simultaneously speaks to the teacher-side of me while resonating with my everyday human journey. Tears and laughter, frustration and joy. The experience is one I will not forget. -Mr. John Uhrik, AP English Teacher, Wheeling High School
Burke's essays speak to a multitude of audiences, reminding us that we are all both teachers and learners. I enjoyed the humor, honesty, and grit of his anecdotes, but I found myself wanting to speed to the end of some essays-where Burke reflects on what he learned-because that was (to me) the highest portion of the work. What did he learn and from whom? -Darren Pierre, Senior Lecturer, Office of Global Engineering Leadership, University of Maryland; author of The Invitation to Love: Recognizing the Gift Despite Pain, Fear, and Resistance; recipient of the 2021 Loyola University Chicago Transformative Educator Award
These essays-and the discussion questions at the end-are ideal for education classes and professional development. Burke confronts issues both in and out of the classroom that are relevant to all teachers and prime for deliberation and debate. -Andrew Sharos, author of All 4s and 5s: A Guide to Teaching and Leading Advanced Placement Programs and Finding Lifelines: A Practical Tale about Teachers and Mentors
This book is not really, or at least not all, about teaching. It's about teaching. And it's not. It's about a man's quest to examine his life and to live it meaningfully. It's a model for how we can learn from the most painful and the most joyful moments of our lives and use these lessons to make us better teachers, coaches, leaders, and people. -Mr. Jacob Sweetow, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
