Customer Reviews

Just Waiting for the Bell!

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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

"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!

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!

I expected this to be about all the funny happenings in the career of a teacher. About two-thirds of the book was more about the daily happenings, not necessarily funny, of school life.

The funny antidotes I really enjoyed were about the animal yard, the school motto and the family of the year. The animal yard was where one of his schools had an area where various animals were kept. Mr Wehmeyer told about how the duck got out of the yard and into the school's hallway. I can see him standing in the middle of the hallway waving his arms like an airplane runway man trying to get the duck back into the yard!

The school motto told about how each school was required to have a motto. That in itself isn't funny but the list of 12 that could never be used was hilarious!

And the family of the year, while in reality is sad, once the story began you could just predict where it would end and the happenings along the way were classic! If you know a teacher, and who doesn't, this would make a nice gift.

Though teacher/principal/author David Wehmeyer's book JUST WAITING FOR THE BELL is being marketed as a book of humor (and there is an abundance of belly laugh as well as warm smile humor packed into this little book!), for the general reader this book is a reminder of just what teachers do for our civilization. Poorly paid, buffering their classroom supplies with their own purchases out of need, and raked over the coals as the cause for the declining intelligence of our populace today, teachers are heroes - and reading this book points out why. Those dedicated teachers and administrators who cope with the idiosyncrasies of the various grade levels of humor, and behavior problems, and moments of enlightenment that accompany the children in school as well as the parents and relatives who, perhaps unintentionally, interfere with the education process deserve a time in the spotlight. Wehmeyer, perhaps without intending that purpose, allows those of us who benefit from the teaching profession to step back, hear the tales of horror and of joy that make up the madcap quilt that the author has produced in this keenly observed book.

This is one of those little books of pleasure to keep by the bedside or, better yet, to give to your children's teachers as a token of respect and appreciation for the antics - and rewards - of doing what Wehmeyer describes so well. Grady Harp, January 10

Now that I've read David Wehmeyer's fabulous book, Just Waiting for the Bell, I realize that my own long list of outrageous misbehaviors from kindergarten through high school are more than just my memories... They are probably part of the amazing stories related by my old teachers at reunions and parties.

Furthermore, thanks to David Wehmeyer, I know that my place in history has also contributed to the "flea market" of contraband collected by those heroes of academia. Just Waiting For The Bell has put me in touch with my own school days, and I now feel compelled to reveal that my contributions included:

1. One Poll Parrot Magic Motion ring.
2. One pack of Three Stooges bubble-gum cards.
3. One Archie's Pals and Gals Digest Comic.
4. One 8" x 10" Frankie Avalon "pin-up" photo.
5. One 8" x 10" Beatles "pin-up" photo.
6. One gothic romance paperback featuring a governess in a haunted mansion. (It was HOT for 1964!!)
7. SEVERAL issues of "16 Magazine." (Apparently, I never learned my lesson.)
8. Tons of assorted chewing gum, hair spray, red lipstick, etc.

However, I'm also happy to learn that I didn't have "that kind of parents" and that the school administration was sometimes as horrified by the substitute teachers as the students were. I'm also gratified to learn that teaching is a calling best reserved for those with a real passion to make a difference in the lives of children -- even us naughty ones!

As for the author of Just Waiting for the Bell, well, I'd just have to say that David Wehmeyer passed the interview with flying colors... and I'm "touching my nose" in approval!

If you are a teacher, administrator, student, parent, or school survivor -- do not miss this book. (If you can read it, thank a teacher!)

Furthermore, if any big Hollywood types out there are reading this, I suggest that you contact David Wehmeyer. (He's just gotta be down from the roof of his school by now!) There isn't a page in Just Waiting For The Bell that doesn't have the potential to be turned into a hilarious and heartwarming film!

When I received a copy of David Wehmeyer's book, "Just Waiting for the Bell", I became so engrossed in it that I read it in one night. Every chapter gives you a peek into the life of the author, a caring and dedicated school principal, and how he responds to unique situations that arise from running an elementary school. You'll find yourself laughing at hilarious incidents like the duck chase in the hallway, and you'll appreciate the way he handles special challenges, like unruly student behavior that leads to calling the police three times on the same family.

This book is small in size but big of heart, and adults will enjoy reading it.

[...]

"Just Waiting for the Bell" by elementary school principal, David Wehmeyer, is a "must read" for anyone who has ever worked in public education! This short, anecdotal book gives insight and wisdom into the common (and not so common) occurrences in the life of a school administrator.

I laughed out loud many times as Mr. Wehmeyer shared stories that could very well have happened in my own elementary school. His dry humor is irresistible, and I found myself eagerly wondering what he was going to say next.

Without giving away any specifics, my favorite chapters were "Kamakazi Hugs" and "Duck!" You'll just have to buy the book and read for yourself to find out why!!

Karina Harris; author of "Second Chance"

"Just Waiting For The Bell" is one of the funniest books I've read recently. I laughed out loud six times! David Wehmeyer's warm and engaging writing style draws you into the real-life stories of a school principal. What I could appreciate the most about David Wehmeyer is his sense of humor when things go awry.

I thought the questions kindergarten children asked him to be quite funny and never imagined young children would be quite so interested in religion. I really got a kick out of the rejected school mottos. There are also some entertaining answers to why children liked their favorite teachers.

I could totally relate to his chapter on hugs because when I was a student teacher children would always run up to hug me when they were supposed to be standing in line. This of course really frustrated the other teachers who were trying to keep things orderly.

Overall I can recommend this book to parents and teachers. It is truly very amusing!

~The Rebecca Review