Thanks so much to a talented writer and fellow blogger, Chel Owens, for her kind and supportive write-up of my book. If you are a fan of poetry and short stories, then please check out her blog. https://chelowens.com/ Even though I’m not a poet, I enjoy reading her regular A Mused Poetry contest selections. I see big things on the horizon for Chel, and I’m glad to be following her blog. I recommend you do the same.
- Comment
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Pete Springer 
The question about when do you use the bathroom threw me for a loop! I didn’t even think about that. Oh, wow, I’m now imagining some of my former teachers about to pee their pants… Great interview, Pete, and you really are one of the kindest souls I’ve connected with in this online journey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the compliment, Christy. You’re doing such important work. Providing valuable information that empowers women is such a noble pursuit.
It’s funny how much attention the bathroom question got. That falls into the category of things that people aren’t aware of about teachers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad I found this post! So good! Always have loved Maya Angelou’s quotes.
“Going to the bathroom few times a year.” LOL!
Love how you ended it with saying about having fun and going to your students activities. Yes! That is what they will remember and is why they will give you great haircuts. Haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I tried to attend at least one extracurricular event for each of my students at some point in the year (at least if I was invited, haha). When I taught the younger grades (2nd/3rd grade), they would get so excited to see me there. It made me feel so good, and I always felt like they tried harder for me in the classroom when they thought, “My teacher likes me.” That was one of those things I discovered organically, rather than something I was taught. I do have a lot of hair cut choices—too bad I don’t have much hair.
LikeLike
Well deserved Pete and will share in the weekly news on the 7th May… delighted for you..x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate that, Sally. I’m a sloth compared to others who seem to continuously have new books coming out. I’m comfortable moving at a slower pace. I’ve also learned a ton about writing in the past two years, and I’ve learned to respect the process. As one of the older members in my critique group says, “Writing takes a lifetime to master. You’re never quite done learning.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wise words Pete… and your new book will be welcomed when it is ready..x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thoroughly enjoyable read, review and mini interview Pete. I had to laugh at the ‘bathroom bit’. So funny, as kids we all think teachers are like our super heroes, and never ever wondered if they ever have to go to the bathroom. Lol 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was telling somebody else about the humor of students (often other kids in some other class who I didn’t know) treating teachers like some kind of god when they see us. The classic was walking down some random aisle in the grocery store, and some kid who was with a parent would scream excitedly, “Mr. Springer!”
Then, because I don’t even know the kid, I’d grin and say, “Hey, how’s it going, buddy?”
The parent, who may also not know who I was, looked at me curiously as in “Who the hell is this guy? He doesn’t look famous to me?”
I almost wanted to say, “I’ll be signing autographs later in the parking lot.” 🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s sweet Pete. You are famous in your own right, stop selling yourself short. Don’t you remember when you were a kid any teachers that made you feel special? I surely do. For kids, they are our superheroes. Take it in my friend. 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m not selling myself short. Teachers play a vital role in children’s lives. At the same time, I found it amusing to attain celebrity status in the mind of an eight-year-old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We never know who we are modeling for Pete. But someone is always watching. Your star shines through your big heart. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed reading this interview at Chelsea’s blog, Pete. Great questions and great answers. I remember asking the next door teacher to loan me her TA to watch my class so I could use the bathroom! You did well with your book. Waiting for your next book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should have included that tip in my book, Miriam. Make friends with the neighboring teachers as you never know when you’ll need to help each other out in a pinch.
LikeLike
Congrats on the review. Still having trouble getting my head around thinking of you as a mom, though. LOL
LikeLike
Terrific interview Pete…bravo on your book!
LikeLike
that was fun to read – wonderful review and an informative interview. congratulations!
LikeLike
Great interview, Pete!I love Chel’s introduction of you! 🙂
LikeLike
A great review Pete. I loved the answers to the questions as well. Yes, teachers do need to look after themselves, and use the bathroom when needed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Darlene. I sure enjoyed your latest piece about your teaching experiences. We get so much back from the students we work with, whatever their age.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Pete! I’m heading over to read the rest of the review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. I found your latest blog post incredibly moving. Twelve years ago, and yet the memories are still fresh. You captured the feeling of that night so well. What a hopeless feeling when you wish you could provide a loved one with comfort, but you’re not sure what to do.
LikeLike
Great interview and Congrats on the release of your ‘latest’ (more in the future, I’m sure) book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My “latest” probably won’t happen anytime soon, but I’m having a good time trying something new.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to see you over at Chelsea’s blog, Pete. She writes great poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I had more aptitude for poetry. It falls into the category of one of those things I appreciate, but others do far better than me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great interview. Good luck with your book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your support, Peggy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terrific review, Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jennie. You’re the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Pete. I love being one of your biggest fans, and of course a friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great stuff, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Norah. I wouldn’t have met other terrific educators like you if it weren’t for blogging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chel has given you some excellent support there, Pete, and your advice is great: down to earth, based on experience, and practical. Good luck with your new book – I hope it happens for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chel is great! I’ve been following her blog for quite some time. Another connection that I share with her is that she is a mother of five boys, and I come from a family of four boys.
My advice is pretty straightforward. Show your students that you care, and they will try hard for you in return.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recall from my own schooldays, and from watching my daughters go through school, the teachers who did that. Sadly, not all were like you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review and a great interview Pete! I have a feeling your words will impact more people than you could possibly imagine. Continued success, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Brad. I’m sure glad to have found your blog. I’m guessing we met through Jim, “the iron man of bloggers.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe you are correct. I have tried to give it me own good run, but after a year and a half on posting daily I am starting to feel drained. I do not know how he does it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So happy for you! An awesome review! It must feel great knowing you’re touching other people’s lives, the way I’m sure you had hoped when you set out to write your book! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any positive compliments feel great, but I get the most satisfaction when one of my principals has recommended my book to the newer teachers in his/her district. Teaching is an honorable profession, and we need to make it an attractive professional choice for others. I feel like it’s an investment in our future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely true! The greatest and worst teachers unfortunately make huge impacts.. Of course, it benefits us all when it’s the former!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She had me at that opening paragraph;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chel is another in another of a long line of nice and supportive bloggers I’ve met. Those were kind sentiments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful interview. I also really like your book cover. Nice clean design. Loads of luck with your kids’ book. Hope it finds a home with a publisher.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. I’m much more left-brained and analytical but trying fiction appeals to the creative portion of my brain. I should practice more with that, but I seem to like to write most about people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved the interview. Didn’t know about your shady past…and frankly, I never ever thought about teachers going to the bathroom 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Quite shady! 😎 Mostly, it took me a while to find my calling. Living on my own for a year with a bunch of crummy jobs was a huge incentive to go back to school. Sometimes we learn more from our failures and life experiences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I hear you! took me some time too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know I’m going to keep hassling you until you succumb to retirement. Your rig is calling you. We’re heading to Montana in May and Minnesota in June. I get my second poke in five days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wellll…don’t continue reading if you don’t want to read any spoilers, but we did as of last week!!! Too bad we are in another lockdown and can’t go anywhere..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woo hoo!—not to the lockdown part, but the retirement thing. Wow, this is like pure torture for a husband and wife who like to travel. Never mind what I said—get back to work!🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I know! We;;, maybe by some miracle they will open the borders and we can see you in Minnesota in June 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great write up! My mom was a teacher, mostly 6th grade. I never thought about teachers going to the bathroom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have iron-cast bladders.🤣 I spent many early years teaching sixth-grade. I almost always preferred the girls through fourth grade, but by sixth grade, the boys were finally settling down, and the girls became more challenging.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You would never take out your classrooms frustrations on your own kids, would you? 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, 95% of their actions were unintentional. You can’t really get upset with second-grade boys that are falling out of their chairs on accident.
My son did pass through my school from K-6th grade, but we didn’t put him through the agony of having him have his dad for a teacher.
LikeLike
Super interview. Congratulations, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John. I’m so glad to have discovered your blog. You know I have to keep up with Lucy and Twiggy.😊 I like to know that others like you (my route, too) began primarily writing after they retired.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has been eight years now. Man time does fly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kudos all around, Pete! Shared from Chel’s blog. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for all of your support, Bette. Are you writing any more fiction? I loved Dog Bone Soup!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Currently working on poetry, but may start a sequel to Dog Bone Soup one of these days. I’ve been thinking about for a long time–a back to the landers tale. Can’t write about Vietnam, so may just use that as an opening… We’ll see. Thanks so much for asking! 🙂 Have a beautiful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s nice to have options. Good luck in whatever direction writing takes you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this book. It’s a great how-to for new teachers and reminder for seasoned ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s easy to get jaded in the educational business, but veteran teachers can positively impact their younger colleagues. We all have a responsibility to carry the torch.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never had a mentor teacher. My school just threw me into the classroom. And I didn’t have my credential yet either! I guess they thought tech teachers didn’t need any of that stuff!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brutal! Sink or swim? That’s crazy just to make you figure out everything on your own without any support.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the whole tech thing–they immediately thought I was smart enough to do it alone! Sigh. I did swim…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s nice to be thought of as intelligent, but not when it’s assumed you’ve got everything figured out when you’re just trying to keep your head above water.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great interview, Pete. I enjoyed your answers, in particular your advice about taking care of oneself. Good luck with your new book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Steve. I’m having a great time trying something new. I have gained enormous respect for fiction writers as it’s a whole different skill set, one I’m trying to get better at. Finding a dedicated writer’s group was one of the best things I’ve done in the last two years. We meet weekly to help each other with our current projects.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re really putting hard work into developing your new interest. Writing is addictive, isn’t it. It teaches you to ‘pay attention to detail’, an old Army maxim. I just wing it in my stories , but even ‘winging it’ requires a desire to be a better ‘winger’. Keep up the good work, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person