Reviews - Hidden Lessons: Growing Up on the Frontline of Teaching

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22 reviews for:

Hidden Lessons: Growing Up on the Frontline of Teaching

In “Hidden Lessons: Growing Up on the Frontline of Teaching," Mehreen Baig shares her journey as a young teacher in inner-city London school. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, she paints a vivid picture of the daily struggles and triumphs of being a teacher in a challenging environment.

One of the strengths of this book is Mehreen’s ability to humanize her students and colleagues. She shares their struggles with poverty, mental health, and discrimination, and illustrates how these issues impact their ability to learn and succeed in school. She also highlights the resilience and determination of these young people, and the ways in which they inspire and teach her.

Through her honest and raw storytelling, Mehreen sheds light on the realities of teaching and the impact it can have on both teachers and students. "Hidden Lessons" is a powerful and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in education or the human experience. It will leave you with a new appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication of teachers, and the importance of empathy and understanding in the classroom.

5 star read for me!

millierose's review

4.75

challenging emotional funny inspiring

bookishpip's review

5.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

As a teacher, I’ve read quite a few teacher-focused books, including memoirs from current and former educators. I’ve found that on 99% of occasions, the true nature of teaching isn’t captured; it’s either too focused on the dewy-eyed idealism of teaching, too scathing a report on the perils the education system faces or is too bogged down in explaining the millions of abbreviations and jargon terms the job brings with it. Of course, all of these things are important to talk about when discussing the profession; but Mehreen Baig’s account is one of the only ones I’ve read which seems to balance all of the above elements in a way which felt real and fair. It’s neither naively idealistic nor grossly pessimistic.

Baig mentioned at the start of this book that it is actually a fictional account; but as a teacher myself, I recognised so many of the instances here to such a degree that it seems that this must have been heavily inspired by real events. Only someone who has experienced teaching over a number of years would be able to record with such accuracy the love, passion, frustration and utter exhaustion that the job entails.

I was particularly moved by her accounts of dealing with heartbreak and illness, whilst constantly putting the students first. It is hard in such a life-consuming vocation to prioritise your own well-being, and it is so easy to lose yourself to the job. It is the best and worst job in the world and I do truly think that this account is the most accurate to my own experiences that I’ve read.

If you are one of those people who think that teachers work 9-3, have loads of holidays and an easy life in their job, then I implore you to read this.

peaceandpaperbacks's review

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

becca_trott's review

3.0

funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

amina_10's review

4.0

EVERY

epellicci's review

5.0

funny informative reflective fast-paced

Hidden Lessons caught my attention immediately. From the first sentences, Mehreen Baig is funny, smart, sassy and yet humble. This book tackles the everyday trials and tribulations of working in a London secondary school, as well as the larger scale systematic and political challenges faced by those in the profession with passion and determination. Baig is a woman who, the more she reveals to you, the more you want to know her. I found her love for her students, colleagues, and the teaching profession inspiring. She is readable and relatable, and her empathy is evident in every anecdote.

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