"In my experience, writing a memoir is incredibly difficult. I had to look at the entire span of my life and pick out the stories and anecdotes that were most relevant to my journey as a teacher. It’s a bit like walking along a beautiful beach, and someone tells you to collect twenty things along the way that will represent the walk you went on. Which shell do you choose? And how do you handle the dead puffer fish? Or do you leave him behind?"
"There are some moments in life that you have lived through and grown from but would rather not dredge up and examine; I’m talking about tragedies and heartaches and regrets. But when you write a memoir, you can’t ignore those things. You have to drag out all the dirty washing and take a good long look at it. That was a major challenge for me in writing this book. It’s not pleasant re-living things that were excruciating the first time. It was hard to write about my brother’s death, and it was hard to write about my experience of burn out as a teacher. Some days I would be writing – at the Public Library – with tears streaming down my cheeks. And then I would remember where I was and take a moment to step outside and pull myself together."
"A massive highlight for me was when Noni Hazlehurst and Jane Caro agreed to write an endorsement for my book. That made me feel as though I was standing on the shoulders of giants."
With the publication of the essay and now the book, Gabbie describes her experience as a roller coaster.
"Suddenly I’ve found myself described as a 'spokesperson' which always gives me a chuckle because a few years ago, in staff meetings, I was often described as ‘outspoken’."
The one thing Gabbie would love to change in education is that policymakers and politicians listen to teachers.
"I will keep talking about my experience because I want people to know and understand that things aren’t right in our schools and systems and classrooms right now."
As she looks to the future, Gabbie plans to continue to advocate for change and has more books in the pipeline. She has been invited to appear with other experts on the ABC's Q&A for a special show on education in October.
"I would like to continue talking about education, schools and classrooms, to anyone who cares to listen! I’d also like to write more books – I have so many ideas kicking around in my brain… I’m already working on a fiction for adults. Of course, it’s set in a school. The story traverses the lives of different teachers and shows the reader the 'backstory' of the teacher."
"If life has taught me anything in recent years, it’s that you can make plans, but you needn’t hold them too tightly. Life brings things to you; you just have to decide if you want to say yes!"
Gabbie Stroud's memoir, 'TEACHER - One woman's struggle to keep the joy in teaching' is included in this issues book reviews.
| AUTHOR
Suddenly I’ve found myself described as a 'spokesperson' which always gives me a chuckle. In staff meetings, I was often described as ‘outspoken’.
Follow Gabbie on Social Media
@GabbieStroud
@GJ_Stroud