“Manser authentically confronts the emotional and personal toll of teaching, embracing its inseparability not as a complaint of the profession, but an inevitable and beautiful aspect of being a passionate educator. While the emotional labor of teaching is often undervalued, Manser uses stories to take the reader into the mind and heart of a teacher who comes to accept the interweaving personal and emotional aspects of life as an educator and in doing so understands it—and herself—to find joy and gratitude.”

 

—Dr. Scott Eveslage, Superintendent of Schools

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“I Didn’t Sign Up for This… is a must-read for educators seeking validation and guidance in their own teaching journey. Diane fearlessly navigates the turbulent waters of teaching, revealing the raw emotions and profound lessons hidden within this noble profession. Diane’s experiences serve as a beacon of hope and practical wisdom that offer invaluable lessons on developing the emotional fortitude necessary to thrive in the classroom. 

 

Whether you’re a seasoned educator looking to renew your passion or a new teacher seeking solace and direction, this book will inspire you to embrace the emotional journey of teaching and emerge stronger and more equipped to make a lasting impact on young lives. 

 

Diane’s story powerfully reminds us that teaching isn’t just a profession; it’s a transformative journey of the heart and mind. This book is a treasure trove of inspiration and guidance for anyone committed to the noble pursuit of education.”

 

—Dr. Brea D’Angelo, Director of Special Operations and Systems K-12

 

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“This book provides an insightful and authentic look into the world of teaching and education. The author, Diane Manser, has a talent for capturing the complexities and nuances of the classroom experience, from the hopes and dreams of teachers to the challenges they face on a daily basis. The book offers a mix of emotions, from courage and humor to vulnerability and honesty, painting a realistic and relatable picture of life as an educator. It will resonate with pre-service and veteran teachers alike, who can find solace and connection in shared experiences, as well as outsiders who gain a deeper understanding of the dedication and passion that drives teachers to help their students succeed. This thought-provoking book can help spark conversations and broaden perspectives on the important work that educators do every day.”

 

—Dr. Christy Ridgley, School Administrator 

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“For those who commit to this profession fully, it can be an emotional roller coaster, and many suffer in silence. The heartfelt and tangible examples of the journey from fatigue to empowerment make this book a must-read for anyone in the field of education. It’s an emotionally resonant read that provides hope and reintroduces the joy in this profession. This should be a required read for novice and veteran educators alike.”

 

—Dr. Dennis M. Williams, Jr., Principal 

 

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“I Didn’t Sign Up For This… offers a compelling exploration of the emotional landscape in education. It underscores the importance of teachers’ self-awareness and emotional regulation as foundational to effective teaching. By emphasizing that behavior is a form of communication, the book illuminates how a teacher’s response can either escalate or de-escalate a situation. Through poignant real-life interactions, it vividly illustrates the profound impact of educator’s emotional intelligence on classroom dynamics. A must-read for educators seeking to cultivate joy and understanding, it champions a holistic approach that benefits both teachers and students alike.” 

 

—Rose Miele, Coordinator of Teaching & Learning For Elementary Education, and K-12 Assessment Coordinator 

 

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“Diane shares insight throughout the text that take seasoned teachers years or even decades to learn in a way that is relatable and practical. I Didn’t Sign Up For This… is an excellent resource for beginning teachers, and the experiences shared serve to remind even the most veteran teachers that they are not alone, even on their most challenging days.”

 

—Susan Scherffel, Special Education Teacher and University Supervisor for Student Teachers

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“Diane Manser reveals that teachers are often blindsided by the profound challenges that await them in the classroom. She describes with equal parts honesty and humor the emotional whiplash of a job that builds you up one moment only to tear you down the next. Her hard-won wisdom can help teachers discover that what they’ve signed up for, while harder than they could have imagined, can also lead to deep personal growth and transformation.”

 

—Seth Gillihan, Phd, Licensed Psychologist and Author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

 

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“As a former teacher, this book is a must read for any aspiring, veteran, or retired teacher. Diane’s accounts of her classroom are captivating, and her detailed stories will have you transported right into the scene. Her ability to reflect on her personal challenging teachable moments allows the reader to connect with the experience, which many of us current and former teachers have shared. In this book, Diane mastered the symbiosis of humility, growth, and hope.”

 

—Victoria Geppert, NeuroLogic Specialist, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Former Special Education Teacher K-12

 

 

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“Diane beautifully shares her experiences as a teacher with a raw vulnerability that resonates beyond the teaching profession. This book will guide you to reconnect to yourself, and help you create an immovable connection to live in your authenticity. You will feel inspired to find gratitude and joy to truly live engaged in your “one wild and precious life.”

 

—Carrie Henry, Life and Connection Coach

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“Manser is as brave as she is insightful. Her book is a tremendous resource for new and veteran teachers. It’s what I needed in my first year of teaching and what I now cherish in my 31st.”

 

—Ed Doran, High School English Teacher

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“Diane Manser’s I Didn’t Sign Up For This… is a must read. Most of us are somewhere in the journey of wanting to present ourselves to others in a way that maintains our core values to be heard and respected. Diane’s journey, rationale, strategies, and communication skills will lead you to feeling empowered as well. Using the teaching lens, Diane’s methods can also facilitate growth in many other roles and occupations in life. Her honest, raw accounts and solutions inspire one to examine ways one could incorporate her philosophy and strategies to feel more empowered.”

 

—Meryl Lightstone, Retired Elementary School Educator and Elementary School Librarian 

 

 

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“The challenge of teaching is often more emotional that we feel comfortable sharing, perhaps because to do so would be to admit weakness or incompetence. Through her honest experiences, Diane invites us to identify the hard feelings that come with our jobs and, more importantly, practical ideas for how we can move forward in them. If you’ve ever thought, “Boy, I didn’t sign up for THIS!” Diane’s stories and reflections will resonate with you and give you hope.”

 

—Nalene Hilker, Advanced Placement Language and Composition Teacher

 

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“It’s certainly fitting to enter this profession with optimism and high hopes, but if they are not balanced with realistic expectations, we run the risk of losing individuals who may have eventually excelled. The wisdom, heart, and experiences contained in this book will help better prepare future educators and give solace and advice to veterans.”

 

—Sean Deluca, High School English Teacher

 

 

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“I Didn’t Sign Up For This… will be immediately validating for teachers and enlightening for everyone else. It’s the beacon of light we need in an era when teaching is judged from the outside looking in and teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers. While Diane affirms that yes, teaching is emotional, she also gives us hope.”

 

—Kimberly English-Murphy, High School Gifted Teacher

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“A must-read for teachers at all stages of their career, I Didn’t Sign Up For This… sheds light on the often overlooked emotional side of teaching. Using her own career experiences, Diane Manser provides valuable insight into what emotional challenges educators face and invites us into her journey of finding practical and positive solutions. Whether you are a preservice teacher or a classroom veteran, you will find yourself nodding along to this refreshing take on what really goes on inside the classroom and how we can equip ourselves for what we are not typically prepared.”

 

—Kristina Ulmer, High School English Teacher 

 

 

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“This is a special book that will bring you back to your why: why you teach, why you became an educator. It is empowering, solution-focused, and what the professional development educators need in today’s teaching climate.  You will live differently after reading this beautiful book, filled with so much inspiration from Mary Oliver, Jim Fortin, Oprah, Mother Theresa, and Diane Manser.  This book helps us to lower the volume on the negatives and focus on our higher calling of “bettering the ball,” leaving the world a better place one student at a time, one situation at a time. This book is for anyone wanting to live better and reach their fullest potential to inspire others to do the same. You will become immovable.”

 

—Nicole Wagner, Elementary School Guidance Counselor

 

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“This book should be required reading for anyone who wants to better understand what it feels like to be a teacher. Diane bravely, and with humor and grace, helps us understand the best and worst of what our educators experience. If you know a teacher, are a teacher, or think you might want to be a teacher, read Diane’s story and gain a vital new perspective on one of the world’s most important professions.”

 

—Matthew Ulmer, Award Winning Author, and Husband to a Teacher

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“I Didn’t Sign Up for This… is a refreshing take on facing the classroom in our current world. Diane’s message about the emotional impact of teaching is powerful, impassioned, and poignant. This message goes beyond discussing the struggles we face on a daily basis; it empowers us to face them with compassion and integrity.”

 

—Stephanie Clinise, High School English Teacher

 

 

 

“I Didn’t Sign Up for This presents a facet of the teaching experience that is often overlooked- the emotional impact resulting from educating humans with varying backgrounds, family situations, needs and behaviors. Diane addresses her personal teaching experiences and her own emotion-filled journey as she draws back the curtain in an authentic, enlightened, and loving manner. Her message for teachers, novice and experienced alike, is that we can reclaim our joy within the challenges of teaching.”

 

—Elizabeth Mitchell, Elementary School Teacher