It Won't Be Easy: An Exceedingly Honest (and Slightly Unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching

Just finished reading this book -- I purchased it after reading some excerpts published in an article that drifted around onto the social media pages of several educator friends. It's a great book. So great, in fact, that I've already convinced at least 3 other people to get their own copies -- I'm happy to lend mine out, but it's already marked up by my highlighter and I expect that many of my teacher friends will want to do the same to theirs. First of all, Rademacher's writing is authentic and funny. Especially if you work in an urban school, his stories will speak directly to you and your experience. He also challenges educators with some tough questions about the right way to run our classrooms. The fact that he (mostly) leads with questions, followed by stories, followed by a few maybe-tentative-answers means that the book allows the reader to do a large degree of self-reflection about their own classroom. For the most part, it rarely feels preachy about "the right" way to do things for our kids. I also appreciate that Rademacher is pretty open about the fact that yes, he is yet another white male writing a book about education. He owns that. He openly talks about race and his role in an oppressive, systemically racist system -- again, while relying mostly on stories and questions, rather than answers. I do think this is an especially important book for white educators to read, but could absolutely see how some teachers of color might be turned off by hearing another white guy tell them what it's like to be a teacher. All in all, I think the book works because it stays genuinely rooted in Rademacher's experience, rather than trying to speak some universal mantra of what it's like for all teachers everywhere. I read this book at the end of the school year and it was perfect timing as I look forward to planning for next year, but I think it would also make great summer reading, beginning-of-year reading, or mid-year reading. Honestly, is there every a wrong time to think critically about why you became a teacher and how we can do the best job for all of our kids?

As a classroom veteran of 20 years, Tom's book rings true about what it is really like to be a teacher today. He describes teaching in a what that I've always known and that it is, at the same time, the hardest job you'll ever have and the most rewarding job you'll ever have. I love Tom's humor and fantastically vivid descriptions of the classroom (and administrative) situations that face ever teacher. I've already recommended this book to numerous teachers I know, including new to the profession and veterans alike. You don't even have to be an educator to enjoy reading this book. It is eye-opening, frank, and touching.

I had to read this book for class and honestly I'm not that interested in this style of book but he definitely had me hooked. He goes into details about the good and bad of teaching, and it widen my perspective about it. If you're ever wanting to become a teacher give this a read and imagine what you're reading. It will truly have an impact on you!

It Won't Be Easy was a though provoking and entertaining read for educators. As an elementary teacher, there were some chapters that didn't completely apply to my teaching. However, I can see this book being a must read for all high school and most junior high teachers.

Disclosure: I know Tom. I supervised his student teaching, and then researched his classroom later on. Still, believe me when I say that current and future teachers will get much out of this book. His voice is funny and true. He reminds us what the heart of this profession is, always: the students. He also provides other important insights and guidance, like how to get along with the other adults in education. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is how Tom shows all of the things wrong with school, the ways it fails kids and the ways it is unfair and the ways it needs to be changed. And at the same time he shows how you might make peace as a teacher in such a system: working to change it, of course, in solidarity with students, and reflecting constantly, and taking care of yourself. I recommend the book highly.

I'm a first-year teacher and if you don't read the rest of this review just know: 1. This is the first product I've felt compelled to write a review on. 2. I belly laughed and cried in public while reading this book. 3. I hear Tom's little aphorisms in my head daily while teaching. 4. If you know a first-year teacher, have a new teacher coming into your department, this is the perfect gift. 5. I got one book for myself and bought another after reading to send around to the group of English teachers I graduated with. Okay. The first couple pages Tom states that this book is not meant to be read at once, rather, in parts throughout the course of a school year. I felt a little guilty when I read the whole thing in a couple days over the summer, but I couldn't stop. Now I'm reading it again through my first year. I'm a devout Christian and it is no exaggeration when I say I read and reference this book almost more often than I do the Bible (sorry Jesus). My first year hasn't been easy (Christ, what a terrible pun), but this book has helped me keep a grasp on the important things and helped me digest the parts of this career that no one could prepare me for. ~ALL~ teachers should read this.

I am still reeling from my single-sitting, cover to cover read of this. I couldn't put it down. Tom Rademacher managed to make me feel human again as a teacher. Reading this book was like letting out a breath I've been holding onto for years. I hope that especially high school teachers will be led to this. I hope their students accidentally secure a copy. Please write more.

A great Grad die ans teacher

Absolutely love this book as I am a student teacher!