What Readers Are Saying
25 reviews | 4.9 stars on Amazon
"Essential reading. Five stars, no hesitation. I read this through the lens of a parent, a clinical therapist, and the partner of an educator — and it left every version of me shaken in the best way possible. Behind the Educator is a memoir of betrayal and a textbook example of institutional trauma metastasizing into a family. When a system we're taught to trust turns on its own, the fallout is never contained to a career. It destabilizes a marriage, rewires a family's sense of safety, and forces everyone in that household into survival mode — hypervigilance, eroded trust, a grief with nowhere safe to land. I see this pattern in my clinical practice more than people realize, and I've never seen it articulated with this much precision and raw honesty. This book names it."
— Clinical Therapist, Parent & Partner of an Educator ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A gut-punch of a memoir, and a warning every parent and educator needs to read. I finished Behind the Educator in almost one sitting, and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. This is the story of a marriage and a family blindsided by an unimaginable betrayal, not from a stranger, but from within the very institution her husband devoted his career to. She writes with a clarity and vulnerability that makes you feel like you're sitting across the table from her, hearing this story for the first time as a friend, not a reader. By the end, you'll find yourself looking at teachers, administrators, and the institutions around them with a very different lens."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"There are so many compelling and painful stories in this book, but the one that hit me hardest, as an educator who's seen it happen, is the story of how he was thrown under the bus by the system he had served for so many years. It's such a reminder of how politics muddies the waters — from the top down. It seemed easier to find someone to blame than to face how complicated and systemic the problems really were. And it's the people — and their families — who pay the price. It's a devastating and important story."
— Verified Amazon reviewer, Educator ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"As an educator, this story pains me. I could not put this book down and read it in one night. It is another illustration of a broken system where excellent educators are being worn down, wiped out, and ultimately give up. An educator's love for children and the desire to make a difference in their lives is NOT the agenda of the suits at the top. It is extremely sad that a dedicated educator, who gave his all, ultimately lost everything due to someone else's agenda when he did not fall in line."
— Verified Amazon reviewer, Educator ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Behind the Educator provides a critical look at the destructive nature of school district politics and its devastating impact on site principals committed to providing quality education for their students. This is a painful but important book to read as it documents a pervasive and unflattering side of education administration."
— Lesley M. Martin, Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Behind the Educator: Finding Light When Life Unravels follows the rise and subsequent disintegration of a career in teaching and educational administration and its impact on a family. This book sheds light on hiring practices in school administration which would be unthinkable in much of private industry and almost guarantee suboptimal hiring practices that ultimately impact the mission of public education. The constant tension to conform to the administration narrative instead of focusing on practices to motivate students leads to alcohol dependence that inexorably leads to an unraveling of family cohesion. The book is well written and a compelling narrative."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A heartrending story of the loss created by addiction."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book was beautiful, relatable, relevant, honest, and brave. Part memoir, part cautionary tale, part reminder that we can do hard things. Highly, highly recommend — it is unforgettable. I look forward to more from this author."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A story of 'knives out' administrators, 'knives out' parents and, most tragically, 'knives out' kids. Our educational system has consequences in lieu of scholarship, politics in lieu of principles, and optics in lieu of outcomes. Behind the Educator shines a painful and important light on all of this."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Behind the educator is deeply personal, I couldn't put it down! It shines a light on the struggles of a family who never gave up on their love for each other. They worked so hard to make their dreams come true! It is so unfair that outside forces and people shattered their lives. Remarkable people recover."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"A beautifully written book. Heartbreaking and honest. This is a must read for parents and educators. I couldn't put it down — a wonderful book."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"This book is honest, authentic and informative. The author tells a heartfelt story that the world needs to hear. Hopefully it will help others to heal and know they are not alone."
— Amazon reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
IN THE PRESS:
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