The Greatest Catch: A Life in Teaching Book

Penny Kittle's The Greatest Catch: A Life in Teaching, is a necessary treasure for teachers in all stages of their teaching career. Kittle's words made me laugh, cry, feel empowered, and reinstate my desire to be the best teacher I can be. Her book is a collection of narratives describing different teaching scenarios she had with different students. Each chapter focuses on a different student and their story line - for better or worse. Kittle's reflections on students who she helped succeed and those that slipped through are a reminder to all teachers of the importance of our roles as teachers and no matter the outcome to always be willing to try and try again.

What I enjoy about Penny Kittle's writing is she a teacher who writes about the raw experiences of being a teacher. Teaching is no easy task. A teacher must give a 120% every day, which, at times, can leave the teacher feeling drained both mentally and physically. Kittle speaks to the resilience of inspiring teachers when she says:

"When you're teaching you're going to see people who cut corners, don't work as hard as they should, or just complain all the time about everything. I believe you're got to do what's right every single day of your life, even if the rest of the crowd isn't. Teaching is about honor and goodness and mercy. It really is. And no one will be watching you most of the time. You either live up to the calling of this profession or you don't, and most likely no one will be even know but you" (3).

Teachers who possess a good heart desire to build resilience and confidence within every student. With a 100+ students assigned to a teacher, sometimes the individuals who desperately need our attention get away. The fact that, as a teacher, we were unable to help them can haunt an instructor for years to come.

The Greatest Catch: A Life in Teaching is a book about hope. Kittle describes instances where she felt she personally failed particular students. She describes the defeat that many teachers feel. She describes the feeling of confusion and uncertainty when she was a first year teacher. Even after twenty years of teaching, Kittle admits she does not feel that she has all the answers, but she does affirm that it gets better. She has grown from her mistakes and when particular tragedies arises in future students, she knows how to address and maintain the problem.

Kittle's faith in the strength of teachers and their ability to advance in their teaching profession is guided by using writing as an outlet. For Kittle, writing is a form of salvation for both teachers and students, "[w]riting is bigger than the details. It can be used for summarizing and persuading, sure, but it can also help you claw your way through a tragedy. Writing releases pain and often brings hope. Meaning is found. Not answers, but strength to continue" (67). Kittle encourages both teachers and students to transcend their writing beyond academic analysis and using writing a reflection on one's life. Writing allows us to reflect on the person we were and the person we want to be. Writing gives an individual the chance to express their thoughts and voice in a space that may be their only outlet to be heard. Writing allows for strength and confidence to be built and should be a focal point in the lives of both students and teachers.

Kittle's teaching moments are a great source of inspiration for both novice and veteran teachers. I highly recommend this book to at least affirm to other teachers that you are going to make mistakes and it will be OK. I feel connected to Kittle's book because she was not afraid to include her personal stories that did not end in a happy ending. Kittle shares her process of writing stories her attempt to learn from both her mistakes and errors. Finally, Kittle leaves teachers and her readers with the challenge of taking pen to paper and crafting their own reflections and stories in an attempt to grow in our own character. A challenge worth taking!