Picture this, you are reviewing the curriculum and putting together your lesson plan for the following week when you think to yourself: “Let me see if I can find a picture book that goes with this lesson.” You scan Amazon, Target, and even take a stroll through Barnes and Noble. But alas NOTHING. Not one book that you had already pictured in your mind exists on the shelf.
…so, why don’t you write it yourself?
Teachers on an average day wear the capes of many. They are actors finding ways to make everyday lessons entertaining. They are public speakers standing in front of a room filled with little eyes hanging on their every word. Teachers are therapists, and students feel comfortable enough to confide in them daily. Teachers are scientists, planning out experiments to help students grasp how science works. Teachers are historians, teaching the children of the future everything that happened in our past, with hopes that history won’t repeat itself. Teachers are nurses, helping and assisting with teaching how to live a healthy lifestyle with tending to their injuries. Teachers are editors, spending countless hours correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Teachers are mathematicians, breaking down problems and adding a fun twist to help them memorize. Teachers are writers, coming up with everyday writing prompts.
As a teacher partaking in so many roles daily, why not add being an author? After all, you already have all the qualifications.
The average teacher reads hundreds of children’s books each year…if not more! You already know what the market has to offer and what children like. Each day, you stand in front of your classroom and use age-appropriate vocabulary. You know what concepts they will be able to grasp and what they have trouble with. You are able to break down scenarios until your students are able to truly understand what is expected.
You know which part of the book will be their favorite before even reading it to them. You break out your acting skills and change octaves for the different characters. You watch their faces light up. You are able to break down books with not only engaging but elaborate questions that make them think about what is truly taking place in the story. Between knowing what is expected to be taught per grade level, being able to use the correct verbiage, and adding the essentials that make a story interesting, you make the perfect book.
Now is the time, teachers we are calling on you. You have spent years studying everything there is to know about how to not only teach but to truly entertain a child. You know what the shelves are lacking. You know what lessons are truly important for this generation and those to come. You know how to invent stories in a way that engages and educates. If you are reading this and you have ever felt that little twinge while browsing the shelves that “the world needs this lesson in a book,” what are you waiting for? YOU are the perfect author.
Are you thinking about becoming an author? Check out these writing services to get you started today.
About the author: Brittany Plumeri is a bestselling children’s book author, elementary educator, and mother of two. She’s a founder and coach of At Home Author – a consulting company that helps aspiring authors get published. Connect with her on Instagram or the At Home Author website.
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Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
this is so true. i have meet many teachers that are now authors and they are amazing.
Yes, many writers started out in education.
What a great read. Teachers are the best author, mothers, leaders, etc. They are heroes to me.
Yes! Teachers are great authors. They continue studying and learning. A big salute to all teachers.
I can definitely see this! Such insight!
I totally agree. Teachers are very creative either because they are naturally creative individuals or because they need to be creative because their job requires them to be. Thus writing either comes naturally for them or they become good at it over time. Cheers to the awesomeness of the teachers!!!
I am a teacher. I think the idea is awesome but we’re not allowed to introduce any content into the classroom that isn’t in the paid curriculum. All teachers have to teach the same content at the same time. How very fortunate for those who are able to deviate!!
I have a teacher friend who writes and helps our public school system through her writing. I think she’s phenomenal. I think she’s currently working on some books now.
of course they are! teachers are on a different level when it comes to analyzing and expressing things. I have the outmost respect to all teachers out there especially when it comes to their patience level!
You are very right. Teachers read so much of our written content that they can publish books entirely on that subject alone.
Such a great article to read, that’s why we need to honor and respect our teachers. They put the best in them to teach us what we need to know in the most easy-to-understand setup! Loved truly this article it’s worth our time to read!
Without a doubt, I think more teachers and lecturers should take the time to write. If not about the subject they know, then something fictional.
Teachers would make great authors. That’s so true! We are a jack of all trades! This is such an inspiring post and a good motivator for teachers out there.
And if I may add, teachers must be jack-of-all-trade. Teachers must be mothers, friends confidante to their students.
With all the reading that teachers do, along with their knowledge of educating kids and what it entails, it makes sense that they would author books. University professors author books regularly and there is no reason that other teachers shouldn’t do the same.
It’s true! Teachers are really in tune with what kids what and what it takes to educate someone.
I think teachers that teach certain subjects can make great authors. Not sure about some of the maths teachers I’ve encountered but definitely some history or English teachers.
I have never thought of this before but it makes total sense! With the sheer number of books that teachers have read alone, I think gives them a big leg up on writing their own story ideas.
This makes perfect sense! I know my sister, who teaches 3rd grade, has said a few times there isn’t a good book to go along with a lesson.