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An interview with Mary McGrath, Ph.D.
by Dawn Bjornstad
Mary McGrath, elementary teacher at Ridgeview, has written a book, Teachers Today: A Guide to Surviving Creatively. Published by Corwin Press, Inc. ,the book is designed for helping teachers better cope with their jobs and their lives. The book is now selling in England and India as well as the US.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
A: Burnout prevention, stress management and self care have interested me for many years because they have to do with people, how they perform at work and how they experience life. I burned out myself and that motivated me to share what I learned so others could avoid it.
Q: Where did you get your ideas?
A: They came from my experiences, observations of others and my grad school focus. I wanted to pull it together and frame it for those that work in education.
Q: What was your first step in writing your book?
A: My first step was coming to the realization that this was a dream of mine. I collect author-autographed books. I've admired writers, especially if I knew them personally. I began thinking that if people I knew could do it, so could I. I began by taking small steps by writing for newsletter, PTA bulletins and letters to the editors to see if I could get anything in print. I saved everything I had written to stay motivated. I took a class from the Open U on how to publish a book. It was very practical and I followed the instructor's suggestions. One thing led to another and I was able to sign a book contract with Corwin Press.
Q: Did the publisher name the book or did you name it?
A: I was asked to submit title ideas as well as a detailed outline. The editor built on some of my ideas and came up with the present title, Teachers Today: A Guide to Surviving Creatively.
Q: What is the book about?
A: The book includes several suggestions for self care, stress management and personal development. It is full of examples right out of our everyday lives. I wanted to make it user-friendly and practical.
From BFT News and Views, November 1997, Volume 2, Number 2
Used with permission of Dawn Bjornstad, Deb Dargay, and Lynne Scherer
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