Book Review – They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher by Pete Springer
My Book Review – They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher by Pete Springer.
![They Call Me Mom: Making a Difference as an Elementary School Teacher by [Pete Springer]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51u-gYdiG8L.jpg)
My Review
In his book, They Call Me Mom, Pete Springer recalled having many “odd jobs” before he chose to teach as his career. Those jobs didn’t turn out to be in his favor. As he looked back, there were many role models to shape his decision.
Springer reflected on his teaching years and included topics of introduction to teaching, setting classroom, working with students, parents, colleagues, and administrators, disciplines to memorable students, funny moments, and frustrations. He acknowledged the importance of getting to know the students’ academic portfolios before the first day of school. Throughout the year, he created a positive learning environment and promoted student success by helping them to gain self-confidence. He stressed the significance of communication with the parents often resulted in students’ improvement in academics and behaviors.
He discussed ways to work with colleagues by meeting at grade levels to do planning together and to team teaching. For some years he taught P.E. for his colleagues and she taught Social Studies for his class. Once a month, he and his colleague offered special activities to the students and allowed students to choose which one to attend. For getting to know more about the colleagues, he recommended having occasionally after school gathering, BBQ, or a movie.
He appreciated a couple of great principals he worked with for years. Administrators may not have the same philosophy as the teachers, mutual respect is important. He pointed out good communication with the principals is pertinent. When a parent is angry and goes to the principal, teachers are advised to inform the principal of the situation ahead of time.
Springer included some funny moments at school such as teaching sex education with unexpected questions from the students, the writing class with funny grammatical or spelling errors, and the five funny excuses students had when not turning their homework.
Pete took a little while to choose teaching as his career. The passion and enthusiasm showed in this book, I think he is natural to be a teacher. This book is full of advice for new teachers and has many good insights for experienced teachers. Highly recommended.
About the Author
“I’m a retired elementary teacher (31 years) who will always be a strong advocate for children, education, and teachers. My favorite thing to do as a teacher was to read to my students, and now I’m following my heart and writing children’s books for middle grades.”
Contact the Author
The Showers of Blessings 
Wow, what a fantastic review for Pete’s book, Miriam. I look forward to getting to this book on my Kindle. Congratulations to Pete for this wonderful review. ❤
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Thanks, Debby. I’m finally getting caught up a bit on my TBR list. P.S. I Forgive You is working its way closer to the top.
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Pleasure Pete. And wow, I know about working its way. I try to plan out my next upcoming reads, and bam, something else shows up. I will get to yours too Pete. I promise 🙂
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Thank you, Debby. I managed to do some reviews this year. But I’m busy at this moment to have an illustrator and formatting services for a children’s book, got it professional edited so far. I have some children’s stories written 15 years ago and thought I had lost them. ❤
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OH, that’s fabulous Miriam! Wishing you a smooth publishing transition ❤
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Thank you, Debby. So far the illustrator gave a 14 days delivery.
I did everything for the poetry book, used the index finger for precise formatting and strain the tendons of the right arm and never returned to normal. Now I have to limit the used of the computer. So I just paying for the services every step of the way now. 💖
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I don’t blame you. I’ve heard some say it’s easy, some tear their hair out. No thanks. I’ll consider it like a dinner out treat and happy to pay someone else lol ❤
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Exactly, Debby. I pay more for a dinner out. ❤
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Thank you for sharing this review, Miriam. The Dr. Seuss quote is timeless. This looks like a fun and interesting book for teachers, parents and grandparents. Since, we are all teachers. I can see why the students would love Pete Springer and why Pete loved his students. Great review. Thank you for the recommendation.
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You’re right, Erica. Mothers are their kids first teachers. I appreciate responsive parents. With some students lacking parents’ instruction, I felt like being a mom and a teacher to them.
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It’s quite a time to be a teacher, Erica. I know so many teachers are figuring things out on the fly without a lot of warning. I’m sure it’s hard on the kids and teachers alike not to have closure. I wrote my book for new/newer teachers primarily, although I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from parents, too. There’s nothing better than watching former students become teachers themselves. I even had the pleasure of teaching at the same school with one of my previous students during the last four years of my career.
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Fabulous review Miriam.. congratulations Pete..
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Thank you, Sally!
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Thanks, Sally. You’re the best! I don’t know if it’s feasible or not for you to turn it into a book, but I love your letters home series. It’s so fun to be able to look back years later and remember those times.
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Thanks Pete.. I have thought about it Pete but not sure people would be interested… I will think about it again…xx
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awesome review looks like a fab book! x
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Thank you, Carol. Yes, it’s a great book!
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Thank you, Carol Anne. I taught a student twenty years ago with your name. It’s funny how I can remember all of my students, but I couldn’t tell you what I ate for dinner yesterday. It seems to be an affliction for a lot of teachers.
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LOL that’s too funny Peter, is your book available on Audible? I am blind and I read Audiobooks
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I’m sorry that it’s not, but I would be glad to send a copy for free to you if there is someone who can read it for you. (If you feel comfortable leaving your email or address here, I’ll find a way to get you a copy).
One of the things I’ve been doing in retirement has been to volunteer for a great organization called the Society for the Blind (they’re based in Sacramento, CA). I read our local newspaper once a week via my cell phone so that people who are blind or have limited vision can access the news. My grandmother, Lena, used to translate printed materials to Braille on her old Braille typewriter. Even though I was only seven or eight at the time, I was fascinated by it.
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Thank you, that’s very kind of you, I can read kindle books, so a Kindle copy would be good, my email is manyofus1980@gmail.com
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I hope you got it, Carol Anne. I sent it to you last night.
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I did, thank you XXX
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My eldest daughter is going into secondary teaching end of August. Just hope the COVID19 allows her to do so. Nice review Miriam. 🙂
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It’s wonderful to hear that, Marje. I know your daughter was preparing to teacher and good to know she’s done with the preparation and ready to teacher.
Our school may open at the end of August. When COVID19 started, our state was on the top three in the US and is gradually coming down on the list.
I know UK is climbing up to the fourth with US, Spain and Italy on the top three. I do hope it will get better in the next few month.
Thank you for your comment, Marje! 🙂
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It always makes me feel good when I see young people entering the profession, Marje, as teachers can have an enormous impact on their students. I once made a list of the twenty most influential people in my life, and about half of them are/were teachers I had or worked with. I wish your daughter the best of luck. What subject is she interested in teaching?
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Yes I agree Pete teachers can make a huge difference. Tasha is going to teach English. Like me she is a bookish soul and likes to write too. She’s also great with kids, and fantastic with special needs. Disciplined but kind-hearted.
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That’s great! It sounds like she’s got the right temperament and skills for the job. I had the pleasure of being a master teacher to four student teachers. Young teachers do have one advantage over more experienced educators—they can often relate better to their students and are usually more familiar with popular culture.
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Yes, I’d say that is true. She’s worked abroad for a year TEFL to kids in S. Korea and also worked in the UK as a TA with special needs kids. So had quite a bit of experience before starting her training this coming September.
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You daughter will make a big difference in the students’ lives for sure, Marje. What a proud parent you are!
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Great review! It sounds as though Pete’s book would be a good resource for new teachers and perhaps those experiencing a bit of burnout and needing some encouragement.
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Thank you, Liz. Yes, it would be a good resource especially for the new teachers.
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I wrote it primarily for new teachers, Liz, but several experienced teachers have found lots of useful ideas as well. Teachers are some of the biggest thieves in the world—we exchange good ideas and teaching practices with each other all the time. I had so many fantastic role models, and this is my way of paying it forward to the next generation of teachers.
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I’m sure the new generation of teachers will enjoy it!
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Yea, Liz. It saves time for the teachers to learn from mistake or lack of experience!
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Great review! Sharing and just downloaded a copy of “They Call Me Mom” to my kindle. 🙂 xo
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It’s wonderful to hear that, Bette. Pete would be thrilled. Thank you so much. 😊💖
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I appreciate that, Bette. We, teachers, need to stick together. I dug out an old yearbook last night because I’ve been thinking about my old third-grade class who is graduating from high school this year. I am so sad that they may not get to have a proper graduation ceremony as having closure is so important. When restaurants reopen, eventually, I’m going to try and invite them out to dinner with me. I’ve never done that before, but these are unusual circumstances.
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Thanks for sharing, Miriam! I admire teachers. Their job is not an easy one!
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Thank you so much, Jan. Teaching is not for everyone. Many people have other talents and interests and do great in whatever they do. When I was in the classroom, I invited my husband to read to my class on Read-In day, after reading one book, he said, “I don’t know how you can do this every day.” But I enjoyed doing it for 15 years before going into administration. I have great memories of teaching!! Thank you for your comment, Jan! ❤
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When you’ve taught as long as I did, it seems like you know half of the people in the town. One of my all-time best colleagues was Jan Sorenson (your first name and last initial made me think of her). I’m sure you’ve seen some of the extraordinary efforts teachers have made during this crisis. One great one I read about was a P.E. teacher who was riding his bike around to his students’ houses and exercising with them while remaining socially distant. How can you not love that?
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One principal knew all the names of 600 students. He only needed to learn the names of new kids, one year at a time.
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Sounds like a fascinating read, Miriam:) Thanks for sharing your review!
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He remembered a lot of details of his teaching days. It’s a great read, Denise. Thank you!
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Hi there, Ms. Finn. I see that you have written several children’s books. That is the area that I’m trying to focus on now, primarily for the middle-grades. What age do you write for? I was just looking at your book entitled, Elizabeth’s War. I noticed that the setting is in North Dakota. That got my attention because I used to live in Jamestown, North Dakota—it’s famous for the world’s largest buffalo. Well, at least they have some claim to fame.🤣
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Hi! My children’s book are for middle grade readers. My grest grandma was born in North Dakota or why I wanted to write about. It’s a great age to write for and Elizabeth’s War will alway be my favorite. That’s a great claim to fame!
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That is a precious legacy, Denise! I met an author who was a ghost writer for her grandma. She finished in time to read it to her before grandma passed away.!
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That’s wonderful she got to share it before her grandmother passed. It is a wonderful way to learn about the time they grew up in and how things really were for them.
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Wonderful review, Miriam. It is a great book.
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Yes, it is a great read, Norah. Thank you for your comment! Hope you’re doing well!
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Thank you, Miriam. Yes, I am doing well. I hope you are too.
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I have enough to do at home so I’m doing well. All to stores I go to require people wearing masks to go in, so it’s good.
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That’s great, Miriam. I’m pleased you are looking after yourself.
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I’m glad you’re well also, Norah.
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Thanks for the testimonial, Norah. Any idea when things will be opening up in Australia? One of my brothers was supposed to be in Australia this month, but he and his wife had to cancel their trip. I wonder if more people are utilizing the Readi-Learn materials right now?
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I wonder how Tom Hank is doing. He started having COVID19 when he was in Australia, then came back to US to be self quarantine.
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Great analysis. I bought it this weekend and am reading it next month!
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It’s wonderful to hear that, Jay. I could see his classrooms and all the interactions!
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I owe you a letter, Jay. I’d love to do a guest post somewhere down the line. I know—-take a number.🤣
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Absolutely. Let’s plan one for june or July!
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Beautifully written review, Miriam. You introduce Pete Springer with warmth and interesting events
In his life with the students and staff.
I love the open and caring attitude of the classroom that grew.
Miriam
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I appreciated your comment, Miriam. The role of the teachers are so important. My first grade teacher had great impact on the outlook of my intellect and the attitude of the learning the rest of my life. A little praise could light up the sparks in the eyes of a child.
I enjoyed Pete’s book and the passion of teaching he showed in the book.
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Thanks so much for your comment. Miriam was so kind to read my book and leave such a thoughtful review. I have noticed the same type of kinship between bloggers/writers, as I often felt with my fellow teachers. That is how Miriam and I first connected.
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Thanks so much, Miriam. As I’m sure you discovered as a teacher and administrator, there are so many people in a school who would do anything for their students. It was the ultimate compliment to be called “Mom” by a student.
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You’re welcome, Pete. My students called me “Mom” also. I just smiled and loved it.
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I really enjoyed your review, Miriam. It is interesting to read the perspective of another ex-teacher.
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It’s been fascinating to learn what parents, such as yourself, are doing to help meet their children’s educational needs during the pandemic. My son is living in Montana (not many cases of COVID there), and they just began reopening yesterday. He says that some of the rural schools are likely to resume before the school year ends in June.
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I’m really glad to hear that, Pete.
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You’re right, Robbie. His memories are still fresh. He reminded me of my teaching days!
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He sounds like the kind of teacher you would’ve wanted to have!
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Thank you, Aria. I got to teach with one of my former students in my last few years. That was a rewarding and fun experience.
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You’re right, Aria. His students love him!
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