From the critically acclaimed author of Daddy Needs a Drink—hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “consistently hilarious”—comes a series of irreverent, wickedly observant essays about what it really means to be a teacher today. With his trademark wit and wisdom, Robert Wilder dissects the world’s noblest profession—whether he’s taming a classroom full of hormonal teenagers or going one-on-one with the school bully. Wilder was twenty-six when he found his true calling. Leaving a lucrative advertising career in New York, he got a job as an assistant first-grade teacher at a Santa Fe alternative school—and never looked back. Now he brings his unique perspective—as a teacher, parent, and former student—to a series of laugh-out-loud essays that show teaching at its most absurd…and most rewarding. With brutal candor he chronicles his own lively adventures in modern education, from navigating cutthroat kindergarten sign-ups to subbing for a class experiment gone wrong–and dares to tell about it. He shares the surprising lessons he’s learned in the trenches of his profession, including how to bribe a four-year-old (his own) to stop swearing in a Lutheran preschool and the best way to teach moody teenagers…manage “helicopter” parents…and cope with bullies—whether of the school-yard, Internet, or parental kind. And he offers tough love for cheaters who log on to www.SchoolSucks.com, then puts to rest forever the question of why new teachers gain weight (hint: the free donuts don’t help). In Tales from the Teachers’ Lounge, Robert Wilder charts life’s learning curve with a warmth and humor you don’t find in textbooks. By turns heartwarming, eye-opening, and uproariously funny, these pitch-perfect essays offer priceless lessons in life, family, learning, and teaching from a true lover of education.

Behind the doors of teachers' lounges, teachers share with each other. They share their frustrations and enjoyment. They also share stories about the students they serve. Sometimes these stories are meant to entertain, and at other times, these stories are designed to illustrate a message about the nature of students and the importance of teacher behaviors. Through the edited book volume, The Teachers' Lounge: Tales Told and Lessons Learned, the editors manage to capture the spirit of teacher communalism in print form. Fun, heart-warming, and even bewildering within-school tales are shared. Through the narratives presented, associated lessons are also shared. These lessons elevate new, as well as experienced, teacher capacity and encourage responsible teaching behaviors. Each chapter ends with questions and statements for reflection and discussion, creating a comprehensively engaging and didactic experience from which all teachers could benefit. Though it was especially developed for new and emerging teachers, this volume serves as a didactic glimpse into teaching and a powerful resource for all teachers."This volume made me reflect upon my time as a teacher. I could relate to every word within it. I also got a good laugh."-- Garrett Dennis, Councilman, City of Jacksonville, Florida"This volume is a considerate contribution to help prepare new teachers for the reality of the classroom. It is reflective, responsible, and resolute."--David H. Jackson, Jr., Professor of History, Associate Provost for Graduate Education & Dean School of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education, Florida A&M University"I really wish I had a resource like this when I began teaching. I was bombarded with theory, but there was nothing that I could really relate to. I had so many misconceptions that I was forced to reconcile with reality. This book opens the door to the world of real teaching for new teachers. It will help many."--Lasonya G. Rentz, Guidance Counselor "Books like this are essential if we are going to prepare a new generation of teachers who are ready to assist and foster growth in all students."--Diedrich Arterberry, Veteran Teacher

When an imaginative child peeks inside a teachers lounge, he embarks on a wild, funny adventure you'll never forget!

What do teachers actually do every day in the teachers' lounge? When an imaginative child peeks inside, he embarks on a wild, funny adventure you'll never forget. Who knew that teachers surf, hike, eat frog-eyeball soup, and walk through the rain for

Seventeen incredible authors. Seventeen amazing stories. One fantastic sci-fi universe, where the only limit is one's imagination. Welcome to Starflight. Based on the exploration-based Starflight video game series created by Greg Johnson and the Binary Systems team, the stories in Tales From the Starport Lounge flesh out and shine a light into the darkest corners of the known universe. Join the last vestiges of Humanity and their alien allies (the reptilian Thrynn, the insectoid Velox, and the plant-based Elowan) as they attempt to carve out their own territory in a sector of space filled with wondrous opportunity and deadly threats. Brave explorers seek out new worlds to colonize while merchants cruise from starport to starport, their holds laden with exotic goods. Not all in this futuristic setting have noble intent. For every prospector and trader attempting to make a difference, a dozen pirates, smugglers, and mobsters engage in all manner of criminal enterprise. Gangs fill the underbellies of every major city and raid the trade routes between the stars, pushing the outnumbered and outgunned Interstel Police to their limit and forcing civilians to take matters into their own hands. It's a rough and tumble universe, where one wrong move could spell doom for an expedition, or grant enough wealth to buy a planet. Board your ship and set course for stars unknown! The universe awaits. Stories include: "Those Who Came Before" by Michael Gants, "Choices" by Christopher Woods, "Black Box Blues" by Philip K. Booker, "Rock of Truth" by Bart Kemper, "Obligations" by Marisa Wolf, "Hindsight" by R.J. Ladon, "Peacestone" by Brisco Woods, "Everyone Gets What They Have Coming" by D.J. Butler, "A New Beginning" by J.F. Posthumus, "Fire at Will" by Declan Finn, "Hiro of Arth" by David A. Tatum, "Rover Rescue" by Michael J. Allen, "Territory" by Nick Steverson, "Turn of Luck" by William Joseph Roberts, "Always on Duty" by Benjamin Tyler Smith, "To Cache a Killer" by Michael J. Ciaravella, "Through the Time Lens" by Robert Silverberg Plus an introduction by Starflight creator, Greg Johnson

If Brown can learn to use all of the friendship skills he learns from the others pencils, he will make friends. This first book in the Building Relationship series focuses on relationship-building skills for children. Included are tips for parents and teachers on how to help children who feel left out and have trouble making friends.

The stories, tales, and memories of Life-Arc Teaching Tales deal with the instructiveness of teaching, as well as the hammered, ironic learning of getting through any lifetime.

This funny, touching picture book celebrates the difference a good teacher can make. Written as a thank-you note to a special teacher from the student who never forgot her, this moving story makes a great classroom read-aloud, and a perfect back-to-school gift for students and teachers! Dear Teacher, Whenever I had something to tell you, I tugged on your shirt and whispered in your ear. This time I’m writing a letter. So begins this heartfelt picture book about a girl who prefers running and jumping to listening and learning—and the teacher who gently inspires her. From stomping through creeks on a field trip to pretending to choke when called upon to read aloud, this book’s young heroine would be a challenge to any teacher. But this teacher isn’t just any teacher. By listening carefully and knowing just the right thing to say, she quickly learns that the girl’s unruly behavior is due to her struggles with reading. And at the very end, we learn what this former student is now: a teacher herself. From award winning author Deborah Hopkinson and acclaimed illustrator Nancy Carpenter, this picture book is made to be treasured by both those who teach and those who learn.

Sophie's Tales: Overcoming Obstacles is the second adventure in the Sophie's Tales series about a little dog with hearing loss who uses a cochlear implant to hear. In Overcoming Obstacles, Sophie is ready to hit the agility course and make some new friends. She meets Champ, a glasses-wearing Labradoodle who is confident he will be the agility champion. Will Champ be the winner or can Sophie help him learn that sometimes winning isn't the only way to have fun?