Book Club Preview: Same As It Never Was

Spend an hour over bruschetta and tasty drinks at Postino Central in Phoenix with Arizona K12 Center Executive Director Kathy Wiebke and other Arizona educators this March to discuss a new memoir exploring what it is to teach in public schools today.

Same As It Never Was: Notes on a Teacher’s Return to the Classroom by Gregory Michie tells the story of Michie’s journey back to teaching in Chicago Public Schools after a decade as a college professor.

The Executive Director’s Book Club will be discussing Same As It Never Was on Thursday, March 5, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Postino Central, 5144 N. Central, Phoenix. Go here to register for the event. If you register by Feb. 20, we’ll mail you a free copy of the book!

Here, Wiebke shares why she selected this title and what she’s looking forward to discussing with others.

Why did you choose this book for the March book club?

“I was drawn to this book because it chronicles the journey of a former teacher turned college professor who goes back to the classroom,” Wiebke said. “This is something I have often thought about doing and wondering if I still have it. Gregory Michie, after a decade of being away, goes back to teach in Chicago Public Schools. I have often thought about this journey and what it must be like. I found his story riveting and at times heartbreaking.”

What are you looking forward to discussing with others about this book?

“There is a piece in the book where Michie talks about the unique gifts of our students,” Wiebke explained. “I want to talk about our students and their gifts. He talks about teaching at 56 and how it is very different than teaching at 27 years of age. He says, ‘I try to stay fresh, to seek out new ideas and resources, to listen to and learn from the voices of a younger generation of teachers. Besides, despite self-assurance comes with years of experience, old insecurities still pop up. I am reminded, probably daily, that teaching is not something you figure out after 3 or 5 or even 20 years, and then just sit back and press repeat.’ I want to know what we have learned from the younger generation and those that have been around for a while.”