Burke’s writing is honest and engaging…(He) invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, whether as teachers, parents, or simply as individuals seeking to live meaningfully. The essays are not just about teaching—they are about learning from every moment, whether painful or joyful, and using those lessons to become better at whatever we do…As someone who enjoys stories that make me laugh and think, I found myself both entertained and moved. Lessons Learned is a wonderful reminder that life’s best lessons often come from the most unexpected places.

–Mansoor Ahmed, Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review

Fan-fu##ing-tastic! The combination of personal and practical philosophy joined alongside a spattering of professional pedagogy creates a completely original read, unlike anything I’ve experienced. This blend of work with life simultaneously speaks to the teacher-side of me while resonating with my everyday human journey. Tears and laughter, frustration and joy. The experience is one I will not forget.

—Mr. John Uhrik, AP English Teacher, Wheeling High School

Burke’s essays speak to a multitude of audiences, reminding us that we are all both teachers and learners. I enjoyed the humor, honesty, and grit of his anecdotes, but I found myself wanting to speed to the end of some essays—where Burke reflects on what he learned—because that was (to me) the highest portion of the work. What did he learn and from whom?

—Darren Pierre, Senior Lecturer, Office of Global Engineering Leadership, University of Maryland; author of The Invitation to Love: Recognizing the Gift Despite Pain, Fear, and Resistance; recipient of the 2021 Loyola University Chicago Transformative Educator Award

These essays—and the discussion questions at the end—are ideal for education classes and professional development. Burke confronts issues both in and out of the classroom that are relevant to all teachers and prime for deliberation and debate.

—Andrew Sharos, author of All 4s and 5s: A Guide to Teaching and Leading Advanced Placement Programs and Finding Lifelines: A Practical Tale about Teachers and Mentors

This book is not really, or at least not all, about teaching. It's about teaching. And it's not. It's about a man's quest to examine his life and to live it meaningfully. It's a model for how we can learn from the most painful and the most joyful moments of our lives and use these lessons to make us better teachers, coaches, leaders, and people.

—Mr. Jacob Sweetow, Licensed Clinical Social Worker