The Wild Card Book Review

At the Phoenix airport waiting for my flight to New Orleans

I am a second year teacher and a huge fan of The Ron Clark Academy, so when I found out Hope and Wade King were writing a book, to say I was beyond ecstatic would be an understatement. On January 11th, The Wild Card was dropped off at my door- just days before I was going to attend the Get Your Teach On conference in Louisiana. Talk about perfect timing! I literally tore open the box, grabbed a highlighter and some post-it notes and turned to page one.

  

 I was HOOKED.

I consider myself a pretty creative person, but I was always struggling on how to push past my limits as an educator to reach my true full potential.

Until now.

The Wild Card opened my eyes to all the possibilities I can achieve as an educator. Let's face it, teachers have an abundant amount of challenges with the hand that we are dealt. I learned that mindset is everything and the deck is 'only stacked against you if you let it be'.

#BeTheWildCard

I absolutely love that the book gave specific and REALISTIC tips and tricks to use in your classroom. This book does not try to change you as a person... it helps to bring out and make you realize YOUR personal qualities that make YOU amazing. I've learned that self-growth is never ending and isn't always easy... but it is in fact, rewarding. What I love is that this book is not just a book to inspire you... it is literally a how-to on how to create your best self! I think that's was gives this book its magic... for people like me who are unsure and constantly full of self-doubt, it sets your mind to use what you have and find the best in every situation.

Chapter four encourages you to find your 'why', as in, what makes you get up in the morning, walk into a classroom of 25+ kids and t e a c h? Now, coincidentally on the page following the end of that chapter is a blank page... whether that was intentional or not I decided to use that page to write down my 'why'. I have honestly never taken the time to think about my 'why' until reading this book. Knowing your why is so important and I challenge you to consider what your 'why' is.

Here are just a few out of the hundred of quotes from the book that are my favorite:

"An excuse is just a defense mechanism. It's a justification for giving up."

"Enthusiasm spreads like wildfire."

"When you stop comparing yourself to others and only measure yourself against yourself, that's when you start improving."

"Creativity is not a plateau. It's not a destination you reach and settle into. If you ever start to feel comfortable, it's a sign you've stopped growing."

So lucky to have met Hope and Wade King!

It is impossible to write about all the incredible information this book has to offer! My review does not give it justice! I wish and hope for every educator to read this book at least once during their career, because I know they would feel as strongly about it as I do and be inspired to reach their best self. I can honestly say that I am a changed person because of this book. It has such a strong impact on me and I am so grateful for it! It is an important resource of mine when I need to be reminded to throw out self-doubt and negativity. Thank you Hope and Wade for sharing your magic and for giving me the confidence to help me find mine.💙

Got to chat with Hope and Wade at their book release party at the House of Blues!