Teach Me, Teacher: Life Lessons That Taught Me How to Be a Better Teacher

The Power to Save a Life

Jacob Chastain grew up in an environment filled with drugs and violence. Inside the home that should have felt safe, fear and anxiety were the desperate norm. Stability and security eluded him as he was shuffled between family and friends that would take him in. But at school, things were different. There, day after day, year after year, Chastain’s teachers saved him.

Teach Me, Teacher is the true story of a childhood marked by heartache—a story that may be similar to that of the children sitting in your classroom. It’s the story that shaped Chastain into the educator he is today. Lessons learned from his experiences as a child and as a growing educator spring from every page, offering reflections on the trials and triumphs facing teachers and students everywhere. From these lessons, we learn that one’s darkest moments can ultimately lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life when someone cares enough to step in and make a difference.

“Jacob Chastain pours his heart out on the pages of Teach Me, Teacher by sharing his personal journey through childhood trauma. His message that “action is the antidote to suffering” is a powerful reminder to us all to do more, be more, understand more, and care more for our students.” —Kim Bearden, co-founder and executive director, The Ron Clark Academy, author of Talk to Me

“Teach Me, Teacher is one of the most courageous, heartbreaking, hopeful books I’ve ever read.” —Regie Routman, author of Literacy Essentials

“Jacob Chastain’s raw honesty is something that we need more of in the education world.” —Halee Sikorski, A Latte Learning

“Teach Me, Teacher is both an uplifting memoir and a message to all of us in education of the power we have to build relationships and make a difference for all of our students.” —Dr. Sue Szachowicz, senior fellow, Successful Practices Network

“Jacob Chastain takes us on a transformational journey where past and present converge into possibility. His story of resilience and hope is a celebration of the impact each of us can have when professional purpose leads the way.” —Dr. Mary Howard, author of Good to Great Teaching