Skills to benefit you the rest of your life!

I am going into my 19th year teaching high school Spanish and English Literature and Composition. I absolutely LOVE what I do every day, but it didn't just happen like that. It took quite a bit of learning and a lot of practice to get get to this point! Some days are more difficult, challenging, and stressful than others, but learning how to minimize and control those difficult moments, is what will determine your true success, health, and happiness in both your professional and personal life. The audiobook, The Happy Teacher Habits: 11 Habits of the Happiest, Most Effective Teachers on Earth by Michael Linsin, Narrated by Mike Norgaard, does just that. Michael Linsin explains the habits of the happiest teachers in the world and shows you how to do the same, so that you are able to lead a similar life. He gives tips and strategies to help you not only maintain your sanity in the world of education, but also explains how to create a life of happiness with youself, your family, and your students.

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook! I found it to be informative, motivating, accurate, and full of hope! Teaching isn't easy and everyday is filled with moments of surprise and adventure. Some teachers look at those moments as opportunity and growth, while others have a difficult time and ultimately feel frustrated and overwhelmed. You went into the field of education for a reason...do you remember that reason? You were meant to be a teacher; this is your life, your passion, your contribution. You make a difference in the lives of others. In this book, Michael Linsin teaches you how to keep doing all of that, but without the stress and added pressure teachers often feel. The book focuses on 11 main habits that you can start implementing right now! It is only about 4 hours long, but packed with information that will benefit you for the rest of your life. You might find that you want to give all 11 habits a try or just one of them. Either way, you will always have this book to refer back to if you need some inspiration along your journey to happiness and health! :-)

The narration by Mike Norgaard is fantastic!! I have listened to other books he has narrated, and I have been impressed with his professional, yet easy to listen to tone. He objectively presents the information to the listeners in a clear and consistent manner, while also sounding inviting and comforting. He has a way of making listeners feel like these words were meant for them, which is an area many narrators of non-fiction books are not usually successful. I was fully engaged from start to finish and felt like I was listening to a friend or mentor give me advice on how to make my life more manageable and enjoyable. I definitely feel his narration added to my overall experience and enjoyment of the book!

I've been a subscriber to Michael Linsin's popular website smartclassroommanagement.com for some time now. I do not personally know him, nor have we ever met, but I do feel he is someone who genuinely cares about the success of teachers and their students. I just want to say thank you for all your help, support, and hard work! Everyday you help teachers from all over the world live happier, healthier, more successful, and enjoyable lives. Keep up the great work...you are appreciated more than you know! I rate this audiobook 5/5 stars across the board, and I recommend it to anyone looking to live a life of both happiness and success!

Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope it was helpful. :-)

21 people found this helpful

No B.S.

The author explains real techniques of long-time successful teachers.
Addresses the problems with popular trends.

5 people found this helpful

Average.

I'd like to think I'm a better teacher from having read this text. Not much has or will change in that respect. The author basically presents 10 areas he thinks teachers can improve upon in order to be more at ease and better teachers. I was hoping to have deep insight for improving student or patent relationships, or reflective actions to take to bring my high school instruction to the next level. From reading this, none of that happened. in the end, it is a decent book to get you thinking but ends up being like a straight drip coffer when, instead, you thought you ordered that extra chocolaty mocha.

1 person found this helpful

Practical and inspiring!

I will listen again and again to Mr. Linsin's list. Love how it is filled with fascinating examples and stories - thank you

1 person found this helpful

This should be required reading for all teachers.

The author provides realistic tools to combat the overwhelming exhaustion and burnout teachers experience on a daily basis while adding enough stories to keep listeners engaged.

Another great hit by Michael Linsin!

The majority of my teaching prior to 2020 was at the specialized high school and college level. I’d had it easy for over 15 years. A position opened up in the summer of 2021 that piqued my interest. But it required me to teach two 6th grade classes along with three high school level classes and an after school music program. Needless to say teaching 6th grade students in the Fall of 2021 with students returning back to school after the 2020-2021 pandemic shutdowns has been quite the task. I was in over my head with student behavior issues that I’d never before witnessed, let alone experienced.

Michael Linsin’s books have been amazing. My Spring 2022 classes have been far better for all involved than my Fall 2021 classes by a wide margin. I have several of Linsin’s book and this has became another favorite as #1 it works and #2 it focuses on teacher efficiency, effectiveness and having some time and headspace for yourself while you institute a system that works.

The ideas help build a sense of safety among students and that they are being listened to and heard. All while giving the teacher the mental breaks and proper recharge they need to keep going in a positive state. The book might as well have been called How To Go From Panic To Relaxed While Enjoying Your Job.

This is one of my new Linsin top three favorites to recommend!

A Must Read For Every Teacher! Life changing.

Michael's narrative and advice goes against the grain of education ideals and unrealistic expectations. He offers simple yet direct advice for taking back your teaching career while finding happiness along the way. His advice has helped me cultivate my joy for teaching and finding a balance between my work & home life.

Excellent timing

With just one week to go before starting year 33 of teaching, these 11 reminders encouraged me to focus on what really matters in teaching.

Thorough list of common difficulties

This book is a list of most common difficulties teachers face in the classroom. The author does not offer any solutions, but instead tells the reader/listener stories about how brilliantly he (the author) helped some poor struggling teacher-soul solve these problems in private coaching sessions.
Almost 3 hours of my time wasted on listening to self-aggrandizing and author's favorite anecdotes (quite old and well-known, too).

Really Good Stuff

I really think that there were not only good insights, but excellent and thorough ways of explaining how to implement them in the classroom. I've read another work by this author, yet this may be one of the best of his books. This wasn't just a list of good ideas or theories, but includes practical implementation. It was recommended to me by a colleague, and now I clearly see why.