Teaching Under the Influence by Sandra Walters

Hello, my name is Shenequa Williams with this week's edition of Likely Stories. I am an instructional specialist in Waco ISD at Cedar Ridge Elementary School.

What is it really like to be a teacher? Do they really wear multiple hats and superhero capes? How do they make preparing our future leaders of tomorrow look so easy? Often, they can be the most criticized professionals, but they still manage to find joy in every school year. I highly recommend adding to your reading collection, ‘Teaching Under the Influence’ by Sandra Walters. This bus ride of a teacher's journey spanning over 20 years throughout elementary, middle, and high school grade levels is one you will never forget.

No doubt, being an educator there has great rewards; however, second-guessing your why is something many educators have struggled with in recent post-COVID school years. This book was like a wild adventure, taking the reader throughout the neighborhood of education while making stops to allow us to step off and write our thoughts down with spaces provided at the end of each chapter.

I found this masterpiece of experiences to be helpful, especially for those considering becoming a teacher or even an experienced teacher who wonders if others can relate. I appreciated how Sandra shared her most inner thoughts and feelings as a person, and not just an educator. Her personal faith and beliefs were often challenged by different students on her roster. This book is a prime display of universal issues, no matter what grade level, campus, or even school district.

Teachers sacrifice a lot for those they signed up to teach and support for years beyond the school year. I was amazed at the format alone of this book, and how it helps any reader develop a stronger love for reading. The anecdotes, brain dumps, positives of teaching under the influence of God, and the Teaching Under the Influence toolbox were all incorporated throughout this book.

One thing I did notice was Sandra's well wishes for each student mentioned in her short stories. It is said that teachers always have a special place in their heart for each student on their roster, no matter what. This is definitely a true statement. It is imperative to keep in mind that teachers evolve just like their students, and Sandra has proven she has evolved over the years while teaching under the influence.

RECENT EPISODES OF LIKELY STORIES

Likely Stories - This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

Welcome to Likely Stories. I am Erin Penn and I would like to share with you my new obsession. “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me” by Ilona Andrews, the first book in the Maggie the Undying fantasy series.“This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me”, but not for lack of trying.

Likely Stories - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Hello, and welcome to Likely Stories, everyone. I’m Paige Connell, and I am an English teacher, so it feels like, sometimes daily, I am “fighting the good fight” against the use of AI in place of real thinking and writing, the omnipresence of technology in our communication, and the detriment that those things can produce in a new generation. But lest I sound too cranky, let me say what a refreshing delight it was to read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (and I do mean read it in physical form versus listening or reading on my Kindle, as even I am wont to often do).

Likely Stories - Love, Sivvy by R.L. Toalson

I'm Joe Riley, and this is Likely Stories. I recently accompanied my wife, a school librarian, to the Texas Library Association convention. She won an award, and I'm proud of her, but this is not a review of her, but rather of a book she picked up there: an autographed copy of 'Love, Sivvy', a novel inspired by the life letters and diaries of young Sylvia Plath.

Likely Stories - Saints and Liars by Deborah Dwork

I consider myself a fairly courageous person, but I will confess after reading this book, I’ve decided maybe not. To purposefully travel to foreign countries to put yourself in harm’s way to protect complete strangers is a level of bravery reserved for the military, not your neighbors.Welcome to “Likely Stories.”I’m Diane Kemper.

Likely Stories - Trouble Boys by Bob Mehr

Hi, Malcolm Foster here, operations assistant at KWBU and habitual stacker of books that one day, hopefully, will eventually be read. For this week's episode of Likely Stories, I’m combining two of my passions. Music and the written word.

Likely Stories - The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand

Hi, and welcome back to another edition of Likely Stories. I’m Paige Connell, and I teach English at Midway High School. Growing up, I went to a private school for many years, though it wasn’t a boarding school, and whether it’s in real life or in pop culture, I think there’s just something about the prestige and allure of a private academy that makes people want to know all the potentially lurid details of life behind the curtain.

Likely Stories - Why I Love Horror by Becky Siegel Spatford

I have a confession to make. I hate jump-scare horror movies. I always have. I don’t enjoy being startled. It took me until adulthood before I could even watch fireworks without bracing myself for the next explosion. (Truth be told, I still kind of do). I’m not a huge fan of gory horror movies either. And yet, I absolutely love horror novels.

Likely Stories - Something We Said: Richard Pryor, a Notorious Word and Me by Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor

I’m Kevin Tankersley, and this is Likely Stories.

Likely Stories - The Land and Its People by David Sedaris

My name is Maggie McCarthy and today I will be reviewing The Land and Its People by David Sedaris.

Likely Stories - Two Old Women by Velma Wallis

I'm not a huge fan of hot weather. My summer reads tend to be set in cold climates, in wintertime- books that take me away from the heart of Texas. Two Old Women by Velma Wallis is a perfect diversion.