It Won't Be Easy

An Exceedingly Honest (And Slightly Unprofessional) Love Letter to Teaching

By: Tom Rademacher, Dave Eggers - foreword

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

Tom Rademacher wishes someone had handed him this sort of book along with his teaching degree: a clear-eyed, frank, boots-on-the ground account of what he was getting into. But first he had to write it. And as 2014's Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Rademacher knows what he's talking about. Less a how-to manual than a tribute to an impossible and impossibly rewarding profession, It Won't Be Easy captures the experience of teaching in all its messy glory.

The book follows a year of teaching, with each chapter tackling a different aspect of the job. Pulling no punches (and resisting no punch lines), he writes about establishing yourself in a new building; teaching meaningful classes, keeping students a priority; investigating how race, gender, and identity affect your work; and why it's a good idea to keep an extra pair of pants at school. Along the way he answers the inevitable and the unanticipated questions, from what to do with Google to how to tell if you're really a terrible teacher, to why "Keep your head down" might well be the worst advice for a new teacher.

Though directed at prospective and newer teachers, It Won't Be Easy is mercifully short on jargon and long on practical wisdom, accessible to anyone - teacher, student, parent, pundit - who is interested in a behind-the-curtain look at teaching and willing to understand that, while there are no simple answers, there is power in learning to ask the right questions.

©2017 Tom Rademacher; Foreword copyright 2015 by Dave Eggers (P)2018 Tantor

Amazing!

This book was nothing short of amazing… And it has truly helped me through my rough first year of teaching Middle school. This book is the realest/ funniest book I have ever heard. I am so happy that I came across this audio book and I will continue to recommend and share it with other teachers. Thank you for giving me hope and letting me know that it’s not only me who is going through the struggles of teaching.

Freaking Fantastic!

This book is real, honest, and 100% accurate.

Dave Eggers is a teacher who loves teaching, but doesn’t flinch away from telling it like it is. He says what we all feel and let’s us know we are not alone.

Roger Wayne is a superb narrator. Most of these thing make you want to fall asleep. He read with passion, sincerity, and humor. I wish all audio books had a narrator like Roger Wayne.

Way more than expected!

This guy explains being a teacher magically. He gave great details and perspective that I wouldn't dream of. Boy I hope I'm ready!

good points, down to earth

enjoyed hearing a real perspective from a teacher who remembers being new and young but has wisdom and experience

Best yet!

I was a nurse for 13 years and then went back to school and then just as I was about to obtain my bachelor's degree in organizational leadership I decided I wanted to be a teacher and switched majors in my senior year. this is the third book about teaching that I have listened to and by far my favorite! I appreciate the lack of BS throughout the book!

Super relatable and fun

Loved the realness! I will be sharing with my friends! Such a down to earth and relatable book.

A wonderful listen

I have been teaching an early intervention for about 4 years and I found myself reflecting on my own career as I listened. The author teaches highschool/middle school but so much of what is in the book can relate to any grade taught and school. So many times I bookmarked words the author said.

It was great!

The information is portrayed in a lively enigmatic voice and comes across as useful and accurate in the career as an educator.

relatable read

Very relatable reminder of why we keep teaching. Funny and honest look at the world of teaching

The most honest book about teaching I’ve ever read.

I am not a fan of the language and I don’t necessarily agree with everything the author shares, but this is by far the most honest look at teaching I’ve ever seen