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.

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