So you think you have a crazy job? Does it include seven hundred overly excited kids? Just Waiting for the Bell! is a hilarious collection of stories and wisdom put together from eighteen years of working as an elementary school principal. He candidly recounts the trials of childcare, including everything from school petting zoos gone amok to parents dropping off their children on snow days. With a great sense of humor and an unending desire to see children enjoy learning, he has put together his favorite stories so that you, too, can see why educators love their work. From hidden cameras and handcuffs to unconscious ducks and hotdog costumes, these stories will keep you entertained and give you an inside look into what really happens at school!
Just Waiting for the Bell!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THIS ONE WILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR LIPS AND WARM YOUR HEART.,
This review is from: Just Waiting for the Bell! (Perfect Paperback)
Sometimes I run across a book that has me chuckling from page one all the way through to the last sentence, but at the same time give me hope, inspiration and a general nice feeling about life. This was most certainly one of those reads!
I recently wrote a review on a marvelous collection of inspirational stories from teachers......and I made the statement in that review that beyond a doubt teachers play the most important role in our society today, bar none. . As I look back over my past, beginning with kindergarten and attending grad school, on through a very fulfilling work career and delightfully exciting and even more fulfilling personal life, raising a family and living in general, I realized that no group of people, family included, has had more influence on my life; every aspect of my life! I am what I am today because of my teachers. I have also observed the state of life of teaches for many years now. I can think of no profession that is quite so under paid, under appreciated, has a more day in and day out grinding task to perform, and so much responsibility. Those "easy jobs" where you only work part of the year and have summers "off" are a complete myth. A teacher is "on" 24/7, three hundred sixty five days of the year. David Wehmeyer has been an elementary school administrator for over eighteen years now and has been nice enough to share some of his experiences in this position with us with this little work. This is a collection of short recollections of his trials, tribulations, victories and inspirational events that have marked his wonderful career. I must admit that I found myself chuckling from the first to the last page when I read this work, and at the same time found myself profoundly grateful that we have such men and women guiding our children through a most difficult period in their lives. The book, while certainly funny, was also quite comforting. Mr. Wehmeyer uses a nice crisp prose to tell his story. Nothing fancy, simply quite readable. The author has the wonderful ability to laugh at himself and his foibles which adds an extra charm to the book. He also gives us a very comprehensive inside look into just what administrators and teachers face on a daily basis and it is bound to increase the admiration and respect we should all hold for these wonderfully dedicated people. The book is broken down into 27 short chapters, each being the separate story taken from the author's work life as a school administrator. The subject matter is wide, the experiences quite varied and I must say, rather surprising. He address aspects of this important job that those not familiar with the system may not consider; ducks in the hall, tattooed hostile parents and their hostile kids, snow days in Texas, the unenviable task of presenting the "puberty talk" to fifth graders, obnoxious local press, becoming a hotdog and a plethora of other events we normally would not associate with this position. All these and more are masterfully handled by the author with a sense of humor and positive outlook. Simply put...this book is well written and was a pure joy to read. This work would of course make an ideal gift for any school principal, teacher or young person contemplating becoming a teacher. It is a book that should also be read my any parent or grandparent of school age children. I do highly recommend this read! Don Blankenship The Ozarks
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Humorous and insightful anecdotes by an elementary school principal,
This review is from: Just Waiting for the Bell! (Perfect Paperback)
"Just Waiting For The Bell" is a fun read that not only entertains, but also provides insights into the life of an elementary school principal, how a school operates, and the many characters that either enhance the teaching/learning experience or not. The author is an elementary school administrator with eighteen years of experience, and has a gift for telling stories about his experiences - short and succinct, but filled with humor and reflection. The stories all reflect the author's genuine passion for his profession.
I myself am a former educator and what struck me as I read "Just Waiting for the Bell" is how similar some of the issues relating to education and school experiences are. I could relate to the author's experiences with parents which can range from those who are cooperative and genuinely concerned about their child's progress in school,actively participate in school activities, and parents who are at the other end of the spectrum, i.e. those who are either unwilling or hesitant to take an interest in their child's schooling, and are quick to point the finger at the teachers and administrators when things don't work out well. I could not help laughing as I read anecdotes about some of the hilarious situations the author experienced - a young kindergartner who tries to "escape" school, a runaway duck from the school's petting zoo, the nightmare of having strange substitute teachers (the one who brings a pet snake wins hands down!), run-ins with parents, violent students, pilfering ex-students, a well-intentioned school newsletter team eager to "expose" a teacher, disastrous teacher interviews, dealing with "kamikaze" hugs, and many more. The stories are short, yet memorable, and any one who has ever been involved in the education system - whether as a teacher, administrator, or parent, will easily relate to these stories, and be entertained! One can't help but empathize with the author, and realize that teaching and being an administrator is not a mere "walk in the park" but a true calling! Highly recommended!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Giggle A Minute - A Book that makes you smile and also brings insight - Recommended,
This review is from: Just Waiting for the Bell! (Perfect Paperback)
I don't know about you but I still have some scary dreams about the different principals that were in my life during my school years. I always thought they were out to get the students and were the ones with the big hammer just waiting for us to do something wrong so they could clobber us.
What a memory. So, I was interested to see just what this principal had to say about being a principal and I was surprised and delighted by what I read. As I read along in this book I was finally opened up to the world of the one who holds so much responsibility in their hands. I realized the principals are the ones who take most of the blunt for anything that goes wrong, and they rarely get the applause when something goes right. They are expected to participate in more activities than any teacher would and settle any dispute that may arise. Not an easy job for anyone. You might think how interesting could a book be about the life of a principal, think again. Most of us have no idea the many avenues a principal must go down, most times not knowing where they will lead him. Scary! I'll tell you, I sighed and giggled as I read this book. Every story had a charm of its own. It is written in an honest open way, smoothly flowing, and is just pure enjoyment from beginning to end. This book is fast paced, the stories are hilarious and often touching and it is a must have for every parent that thinks a principal has a cushion job. Your respect for them will go up and your appreciation will double after reading this book. Quite entertaining and will enlighten you in many ways, definitely a winner. Principal Wehmeyer, you may take your seat now....but please continue to share your writings with us. Recommended,enjoy!
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