About the Book
Book: It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher: 52 Devotions to Equip and Encourage Educators
Author: Gretchen Huesmann
Genre: Devotional
Release Date: Febuary 25, 2025
Refresh and Refocus Your Teaching Heart
Today’s educators face unprecedented challenges in and out of the classroom. Teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and special education teams need more than a few words of encouragement and a pat on the back.
Divided into four terms—fall, winter, spring, and summer—It’s a Good Day to Be a Teacher targets the trials and joys educators encounter year-round. The weekly devotions provide:
- Spiritual insights and inspiration
- Courage to continue the calling
- Practical steps for application
- Additional suggestions for deeper study
Teachers who use the tools of God’s Word and prayer will be encouraged and empowered as they witness God at work in their students, classrooms, and schools. This book helps educators teach from a place of purpose and peace and provides hope and strength to teach another day.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Gretchen Huesmann comes from a long line of educators, including both parents and grandparents. Her three-decade teaching career, in private and public schools, spanned seven states. Today, Gretchen enjoys mentoring and encouraging educators, ministry workers, and women’s groups. She is also a tutor and substitute teacher. An award-winning author, Gretchen is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as president of the Pensacola chapter. Her e-book, Teachers’ Prayer Companion: Prayer Guides for Education Teams, can be found at GretchenHuesmann.com. Gretchen and her pastor husband have raised four children, three of whom are teachers. Their empty nest sits near the gulf shores of north-west Florida.
More from Gretchen
Before I wrote the devotional for teachers, the focus of my writing had been for children. As a semiretired teacher and empty-nester, I’d hoped to fulfill my dream of writing picture books by investing in webinars, workshops, and resources to hone my craft. Then I was called back into teaching.
Three years and a pandemic separated my time in the classroom. The discrepancies in children’s abilities and behaviors appalled me. I experienced firsthand the added pressures I’d heard from colleagues. Three of my adult children, also teachers, shared similar struggles. Now I faced those challenges, too, so I sought the Bible for help and support.
Looking back over my teaching career, spanning more than thirty years in and out of the classroom, I discovered God was with me through every challenge. I wrote out a few of my experiences and applied Bible verses to those scenarios, uncovering valuable lessons.
As I compiled the devotions, common subjects emerged, such as staff relationships, pupil concerns, and dealing with parents. Yet, when I organized the book, I felt uneasy emphasizing the negative issues. Laying out three quarters of the printed devotions on my dining table, I prayed over the topics and asked God to reveal the structure that would attract and encourage educators. The answer was revealed as I recognized a progression through the school year, thus determining the structure of the book: Fall Term, Winter Term, Spring Term, and Summer Term. Each section includes relevant topics for the school year, including the all-important recovery during the summer season.
I hope teachers, administrators, and special educators will be not only encouraged by the devotions geared especially for them but also empowered to teach another day.
Interview with the Author
- How did writing this book grow you spiritually?
Six years ago, when I began seriously writing, I didn’t intend to write and publish a devotional. My focus had been learning the art of picture book writing. Amid creating drafts and becoming familiar with the Christian writing world through Word Weavers International, I was unexpectedly called back into the classroom. The shocking changes to the post-pandemic educational environment opened my eyes to the needs of today’s educators.
At the exact same time, God began to open doors to expand my writing resume. I received two writing offers: one to be a regular contributor for an education blog and another for a quarterly devotional. The Lord cleared my path to publication. I have learned to trust in His perfect plan for my future and my writing, including my picture books.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
My time away from the desk involves finding ways to support my writing habit. I am often traveling to speak to women’s groups, at ministry events, and education conferences. I also tutor and substitute at several schools. I love working one-on-one with students and staying connected to the children.
To relax, I head outside. Hiking, sitting on the beach, or kayaking all fill my bucket. Yet, I frequently bring a notebook and pen with me. You never know when inspiration will strike.
- Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.
I am one of eight children, the second to last. Our huge family boasts of over 100 family members including our 95-year-old-mother, who is a great-great-grandmother. Although our father died at the age of 44, our family has experienced blessing upon blessing and the favor of God. Our parents were both educators, yet I am the only one of the eight in education and three of my four children are teachers.
- Favorite quote?
Mem Fox is a children’s book author from Australia. As a young teacher, I acquired several signed copies of her books at a literacy conference in the U.S. On her website, she continues to encourage writers and includes my favorite saying, “All writing must be rewritten.” The phrase reminds me to get the words down first. Then expect to revise, revise, revise.
- What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Once inspiration hits, I enjoy the process of writing the introduction and making the connections. Wrapping up an article or devotion, however, seems to be the more difficult portion for me. The same is true of my speaking. I start strong, spending copious amounts of time working on a dynamite hook. Then I work tirelessly on the content. Often, I feel the conclusion falls flat. My goal is to dedicate as much time to the conclusion as I do the opening to end each presentation or written content with a bang.
Blog Stops
Its Mama Safe, September 4
Barb Howe, September 4
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 5
Simple Harvest Reads, September 6 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 7
Texas Book-aholic, September 8
She Lives To Read, September 9
Artistic Nobody, September 10 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, September 10
Blossoms and Blessings, September 11
Guild Master, September 12 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, September 13
Fiction Book Lover, September 14 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 16
For the Love of Literature, September 17 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Gretchen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.