The Power of a Teacher: Restoring Hope and Well-Being to Change Lives

Saenz, Adam L. The Power of a Teacher: Restoring Hope and Well-Being to Change Lives. 2012. 152p. ISBN 978-1-937654-60-3. Available at PROF 371.10 SAN on the library shelves.

Individuals enter the teaching profession to make a difference in the lives of children, but often find that many obstacles can affect their passion. From demoralizing administrators to state mandates to personal issues such as family relationships and money woes, the fires that light up teachers can become extinguished over time. In The Power of the Teacher, Saenz presents information on how teachers can strengthen their own personal lives to increase their resilience and rekindle their passion for teaching.

Saenz examines five specific aspects of a teacher’s life: The emotional, the financial, the spiritual, the occupational, and the physical. All of these, he argues, work in tandem to create a wheel. The more a teacher’s five-pointed wheel is in balance, the smoother the ride. Examining a scenario, Saenz conducts a personal survey and implements recommendation to address the issues confronting that teacher. Readers are then encouraged to take their own wellness inventory so that they can identify their strengths and weaknesses. Once this is done, small steps can be taken to improve their life balance and restore their passion for teaching. Discussion questions are included to foster conversations with other teachers.