From the Classroom to the Dean’s Office. Get a sneak peek at the chaos, the comedy, and the curriculum.

Black and white photo of a city view through a bridge with steel beams and a walkway, showing tall skyscrapers and two people standing on the walkway.

Chapters

Chapter 1: Mission Position 

Chapter 2: COVID-19 Chaos

Chapter 3: Teachers

Chapter 4: Administrators

Chapter 5: Parents/ Guardians

Chapter 6:  The Economy of (Un) Skilled Labor

Chapter 7: “College Skills”, Workforce, Military, and Trade Schools

Chapter 8- College Bound, or College Bind? 

Chapter 9: College Skills v. College Syllabus

Chapter 10: History Of Teacher Evaluations

Chapter 11: Educators vs. “Teachers”

Chapter 12: Assessments & Grading

Chapter 13: Cheerio, Auf Wiedersehen, Bye, Au revoir, ce n’est pas le cas?

Aerial view of downtown Chicago skyline with numerous skyscrapers near Lake Michigan at dusk.

Mission Position

In an era where educational success is measured by glossy websites and "Freshman On-Track" metrics, this chapter exposes the uncomfortable chasm between school mission statements and the reality in our classrooms. Drawing on over two decades as an educator in Chicago, the author argues that the national obsession with "college for all" has created a "gilded ruse." While districts publicly promise academic excellence, the data tells a different story: one of cratering SAT scores, chronic absenteeism, and graduation rates that are often more about "churning stats" than genuine learning. It is a searing critique of a system that prioritizes the "icing" of public perception over the "cake" of actual student preparation.

The Chicago sign illuminated with neon lights on a street in downtown Chicago during twilight.

Teachers

What does it actually mean to be a teacher in an era of participation trophies and administrative "stat-padding"? This chapter strips away the polished mission statements to reveal the gritty, often exhausting reality of the modern classroom. Comparing the role of an educator to that of a military drill sergeant, the author challenges the notion that teachers are mere placeholders or "facilitators of happiness." Instead, he argues for a return to "basic training"—a world where rigor, accountability, and the freedom to fail are the only true ways to forge a “combat-ready” graduate. From the "snarled web" of stakeholder finger-pointing to the "alphabet soup" of modern educational mandates, this section is a searing look at why the current system is grinding its best assets to a nub.

A city street at dusk with tall buildings on both sides and a large illuminated skyscraper in the background. The street is wet, reflecting the streetlights, and there are a few cars and pedestrians. The street has a 'ONLY' lane marked on the surface.

Parents / Guardians

In an era of "bulldozer parenting" and avoiding all “owies”, the line between earning a grade and being given one has become dangerously blurred. This chapter pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes friction between educators and the "10% bloc" of parents who prioritize GPA over actual growth. Through a blend of blunt honesty and professional insight, the author explores the "systematic study" required for true learning, challenging the culture of grade inflation that leaves students unprepared for the world beyond graduation. It is a provocative look at why the very obstacles parents try to mow down are often the essential milestones required to build resilient, successful adults.