THE FINAL ONE EIGHTY

The Final One Eighty is a day-by-day account of author’s last year as a sixth grade teacher. The memoir reveals what it’s like to teach in a public school these days, highlighting conflicts, frustrations and successes with humor and introspection, all from the point of view of someone who’d been at it for 39 years. Each of the 180 days is a stand-alone chapter, an essay really, with a particular anecdotes examined to reveal a deeper significance. Written after a full career of over three and a half decades, its perspective differs vastly from typical teacher memoirs which tend to document the first year (or else are authored by journalists who teach for the purpose of producing a memoir about the experience). Certainly, new and veteran teachers would see themselves reflected in this work. And since most people have attended public schools and send their kids to them, they would also find it appealing, as it provides an intimate look at daily maneuverings of not only the teacher but everyone around him-- students, colleagues, administrators and parents.

Paperback: 292 pages Publishing date: April 30, 2020 Language: English ISBN-13: 978-1-952570-31-5 Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

Dennis Donoghue retired as an elementary school teacher in 2014. His work had appeared in various journals, magazines, and anthologies, including Blue Lake Review, Brandeis Review, Broad River Review, Full Circle Review and Georgetown Review. He lives in Massachusetts.