The stories, anecdotes, humor, and insights found in this book capture what it means to be a teacher. The book begins with common encounters that are the hallmark of the new-teacher experience, but continues into equally entertaining tales that come with years of working with students, parents, staff, faculty, and administrators. What it Means to Be a Teacher mirrors a teacher's playful sense of irony and a deep appreciation of the old wisdom about feeling "the impact of the great, occasional and accidental joy" which comes with teaching. Whether a teacher, principal, or administrator, readers will relate to the profound sense of what it means to be a teacher.

"Finally, a book about teaching that tells it how it is. Michael Gose is a teacher who has made mistakes—and magic—like all of you. There's the time he attempts to teach The Owl and the Pussy Cat to a classroom of teenage boys. (A mistake.) And the time he saves a would-be-dropout by showing up at his house every morning at 5:30. (The magic.) He knows what it's like to wait desperately for a bathroom break. He knows what it's like to wait desperately for a paycheck." - NEA Today