A book about education written by an educator. An expose as to what is really happening in our schools today AND how we can all work together to fix them.

part time

I would close myself off with just my computer and just write.

I am a PROUD educator full of passion regarding this topic. I know, as a thirty year educator that we HAVE to do better for our children. I know that we are losing great educators each and every day. I know that we must be honest, really honest, about what is happening in our schools. We must have the tough conversations. We must move from what we "have always done" to what is RIGHT. I know that we can, together, make a difference and I refuse to be one more educator leaving our field feeling helpless and lost as if there is nothing that can be done. I am committed to making a difference in the lives of our educators, our administrators and most importantly, our children.

I am continuing to work with colleges. I intend to get my book as required reads in their schools of education. I also work with schools to provide meaningful professional development to their teachers. I finally work with companies to provide meaning professional development to their business.

My career. I have lived the experiences that I wrote about in my book. I either experienced it first hand or watched my fellow colleagues experience it. I was in utter shock as to what is really going on in our schools. I thought to myself so many times, "if the public knew this stuff, really knew this stuff, there would be outrage." I decided that I could either do as so many others have done before me and go quietly into my retirement or I could get into action. I decided the latter. I decided that I simply could not just say nothing or do nothing. I decided that I HAD to get into action. I had never written a book nor had any aspiration to do so but I knew that what I was writing MUST be said/read and I knew that I had what it took to do so. And, as they say, the rest is history.

This is a book about our education system.

My entire life and career. Thirty years.

I am not sure that I have a good response to this. I think that I was always meant to write this and that there is nothing that has changed in who I am and how I wrote it or would have written it to now.

Oh this question is easy. I knew when I had this book published that I was going to light the bridge that was once my career on fire. I knew that there would be many educators very upset with me for writing this book. I was and still am saddened by the colleagues that are very upset and have distanced themselves from me. I knew then and I know now that to write about this topic is taboo, It is like talking about your family. You can say whatever you want to say about your family but no one else can. Education is the same way. We, in education, are very accustomed to being attacked through the media and in print. But, it is NOT ok for "one of their own" to levy a perceived attack. It does not matter what solutions are offered in the book (and there are many) it only matter that those are "our dirty little secrets" and I have no right putting them out there.

What is rewarding is knowing that this book is causing the necessary conversations. We have to have them. We, as a society, cannot keep sticking our heads in the sand and pretend that it is going to get better. We cannot keep going the way that we are going. Look at our test scores. Look at our graduation rates. Look at our schools. We HAVE to do something different. So, if this book does nothing else but start those tough and necessary conversations then I am so rewarded.

No. No regrets. Regrets are a waste of time and emotion. The book happened just the way it was supposed to happen when it was supposed to happen.

I guess somewhat. I am for sure getting tougher skinned.

Dive right in.

Not too much.

No

I would have liked to. I am not sure I knew what that was at the time that I started writing like I do now.

Yes. It is like a partnership.

Each and every educator that I had the honor of working with shoulder to shoulder.

Not too many. The publisher has taken care of much of that.

I was signed with Rowman and Littlefield.

Not sure I have any...in regards to my book.

That is completely dependent on the type of book. As long as necessary to convey your thought.

No, wish I did.

Be exactly who you were born to be. No apologizes, no regrets...just drive and intention.

There are far too many to list.

I don't have one and I really don't know what one is.

Building my company, Tools for Success. https://www.cathytooley.conm

I take time, be with that frustration, establish where the frustration is coming from then get into action and let it go.

Believe in yourself. Regardless of what you think, or what others tell you to think, KNOW who you are and trust in that.