Review of, They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher, by Pete Springer

It’s Monday morning, and as night slowly emerges into day, I’m thinking back to a great weekend. Great because I was able to have an in person visit with some family members for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

As no doubt you’ve “guessed” from the title, I’m starting off the week with a book review. I hope you have a great day!

What’s it about?

Here’s the first paragraph from the book that sums it up nicely:

How did I get here? It seems like an odd question. I’m not just learning about the birds and the bees as I approach age sixty. It is more of a question of reflection as I look back at an incredible thirty-one-year career in education. The staff I worked with are some of the best people I know in the world. The students I taught motivated me to want to be a better teacher and person. I have a lifetime of happy memories to draw on that have inspired me.

My Thoughts:

I have to be honest, when I first picked up this book, I was expecting the pages to be filled with anecdotes. Please don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of these within the pages that complement the overall theme of the book. I’m not sure why I had originally come to this conclusion, when the very title suggests otherwise.

I want to stress that I was NOT disappointed by this realization. Not by a long shot. Pete does an excellent job of sharing wisdom, insight, and common-sense approaches to the struggles and rewards of this noble profession. It was an eye opener for me, and I’ve come to possess a new appreciation for those who work in the education field. It is very apparent that Pete was and remains, very dedicated and passionate about his calling as a teacher.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who works, or is thinking about a career, in the education field. As a parent, it was certainly a behind the curtain peek at an often misunderstood and underappreciated profession.  

Meet Pete Springer and grab your copy:

I’m a retired elementary teacher (31 years) who will always be a strong advocate for children, education, and teachers. My favorite thing to do as a teacher was to read to my students, and now I’m following my heart and writing children’s books for middle grades.

Amazon.com

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markbierman

Born and raised on a farm near Brockville, Ontario, Mark Bierman's childhood consisted of chores, riding horses, snowmobile races across open fields, fishing trips to a local lake, and many other outdoor adventures. He was also an avid reader of both fiction and non. Transitioning towards adulthood also meant moving from the farm and into large urban areas that introduced this country boy to life in the big cities. After a short stint as a private investigator, he moved into the role of Correctional Officer, working at both Millhaven Institution and Kingston Penitentiary, until it closed.

35 thoughts on “Review of, They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher, by Pete Springer”

  3. My wife and I just returned from a trip to meet our future daughter-in-law’s family, and this was a pleasant surprise, Mark. Thanks for reading and leaving your review.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. I hope you got the opportunity to tell that teacher how much he/she meant to you, Jill. It’s equally important to teachers that they know their efforts have contributed to someone’s life, and that person may pay it forward.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Hi Mark, thank you for sharing this book. I am also a career educator (40 years and counting) as well as three of my four children. Life as an educator must be seen as a calling, similar to the ministry. The benefits and rewards are out of THIS world and into the next!
    Robyn

    Liked by 3 people

    2. Glad to hear this, Robyn. Thank you for your dedication to children. Teaching is an investment in the future. I know you get it—the opportunity to change lives comes with a huge responsibility, but what a privilege! Overstating it? I don’t think so. My wife and I recently attended the wedding of one of my former 2nd graders. Who would have dreamed that might happen?

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Yes, it’s an inside joke that all elementary teachers will understand immediately because elementary children often refer to their teacher (male or female) as “Mom.”

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Many excellent teachers are doing this under the radar each day due to their commitment to children rather than to receive accolades.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks for taking the time to comment, John. Happy holidays to you and your family. (Of course, that includes the dogs.)😊

      Liked by 2 people

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