After I was married in 1960, I had no plans whatsoever to launch a career outside of the home. For fourteen years, I was perfectly content as a wife and mother. Then, a drastic change in my family’s finances catapulted me into the workplace. Uprooted from my charming, New England gardener’s cottage with an ocean view, I found myself on I-95 traveling to an unknown Florida destination, determined that my children would continue to participate in the American dream—no matter what our economic status. Crammed together in our Country Squire station wagon were our five young children, a few of their cherished possessions, and our two large, trusting shelter dogs. For 1500-miles my seafaring, Master Mariner husband confidently, yet cautiously, navigated the land-locked expedition pulling a wobbly U-Haul-It housing the remaining accouterments we chose to salvage. This memoir traces my evolution from a carefree, stay-at-home mom terrified to speak at public forums, to a full-time teacher, lifelong student, and outspoken parent vigilante for my children. Without taking time off from work, I earned three advanced degrees including a doctorate in education, along with National Board Certification and several leadership awards. Written in praise of public schools, the book is dedicated to Good Teachers everywhere. But it also serves as a harsh warning against Bad Teachers who can be found in all school systems in any time period. Thirty-six years of teaching and twenty-three years of supervising my children’s education taught me, loud and clear, that parents must never put blind faith in their children’s teachers. Within a chronological narrative, I describe my family’s journey, emphasizing thirteen critical, eye-opening showdowns where I was forced to fight for my children and right wrongs that had made them victims of their teachers’ incompetence. Those negligent or mean-spirited teachers have long since retired, but others like them have taken their place. My eight grandchildren in public school have already begun to meet them. There can be no doubt: many highly respected teachers use underhanded, unethical tactics detrimental to their students’ wellbeing. Shamefully, such teachers continue on the same, unprincipled, unbridled trajectory—undetected and enabled by lax administrators. Parents, take heed from this revealing memoir which doubles as a provocative and powerful education guide. ** Flip book over for my Twenty-Two Timeless Tips to Trump the System.**