"Steve Doyle is a gift, and this book is a gift. A gift to new and veteran teachers, principals, and anyone else who strives to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Steve teaches the reader that through it all, each and every student desires to be seen, known, and valued by name, strength, and need. Through numerous real-world and researched-based examples, Steve shows us concrete strategies we adults can use to reach the hearts and minds of the young people we serve. This beautiful book pulls the reader away from all the distractions and back to our fundamental purpose of providing a high-quality education for every student. Inspiring!"

"A must-read for anyone who works with today’s youth. We have been indoctrinated and trained to be somewhat disconnected from those we serve while focusing on delivering copious amounts of useless content knowledge. However, in Steve’s book, he does an amazing job at uncovering the power of relationships and the positive impact we have on the human spirit when it is fed; likewise, the damage we can cause when we ignore what we are innately built to do—and that is creating human connections. Focusing on the human element of services only creates a large vessel in which we can fill.”

"Steve Doyle is one of the most caring and compassionate people I have ever met. He is exceedingly genuine, positive, and humble, and these attributes transcend all parts of his being. Building relationships and connecting with others are the essence of who he is. His passion for students and lifelong learning is unparalleled. As his students' words attest, the connections he builds with them make the difference. This book is a must-read for any teacher or administrator who aspires to connect with students and make a true difference in their lives."

"I met Steve in 2017 at a staff training, and we developed a friendship that carries on today. I quickly saw that he understands the impact of having a caring adult relationship with his students. Steve has continued this practice and has influenced more students than he will ever know. I am grateful for his friendship and willingness to share his continued journey. I love this book because it is a reflection of Steve’s relationship-first approach to educating young people."

"Steve’s book is vital for anyone desiring to overcome perceived failure. As a professional songwriter in Nashville, I received so many daily song rejections by publishers that it felt like I was failing at my craft. In actuality, this made me a BETTER writer and resulted in Gold and Platinum selling songs. To me, the “F” word became fortitude and discipline and encouraged me to try harder with every note and line."

"Reading this book reminded me of how much our world needs people like Mr. Doyle. We need educators who care about every child. Ones who truly care…with Love. Building connections and being genuine and REAL with students are what make all the difference. And Mr. Doyle is just that. I love the student testimonials included in his book because I can relate to so many. Imagine what our world would be like if every single teacher made a positive impact."

“In this engaging read full of captivating, formidable, and inspiring personal experiences and stories, Stephen provides the know-how to leave a legacy. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, leader, or pastor, you’ll be equipped and challenged to make a positive investment into your most important relationships.”

"Every now and then, a reader will come across a book that restores their faith in something. In this case, it’s education. Mr. Doyle’s book will take you on a journey to unveil what it means to teach and be taught. To listen and be heard. His book depicts raw lessons and experiences gained from many years of teaching, making it very relatable and enticing for everyone."

"Steve really gets to the heart of the issue with the complexities of educating students of all backgrounds. We must consider the life experiences, stressors, and traumas that students face outside the classroom to be effective teachers and learning partners. A must-read for today’s educator who embraces issues related to equity and trauma-based practices.”

"Reading Mr. Doyle’s book reminded me of how much I truly enjoyed and loved being in his class. This book perfectly details his talent and passion for education. I recommend it to anyone considering a career in education. He knows exactly how to create an environment that fosters his students’ passion for the pursuit of knowledge."

"Reading Adventures in Education: One Teacher’s True Story brings back great memories. I could really hear those student statements as if they happened yesterday. I spent a number of hours observing Steve’s classroom and talked with many of his students. He knows how to make learning matter. Steve makes students want to show up and be part of something that is real and meaningful because they know he values and honors their voices. It is a rare gift, and I am so pleased to see Steve sharing this gift with others."

"We are all on a journey. Steve chose to make a difference on his. The bibliography in his book is a record of Steve’s pilgrimage. He learned that ‘readers are leaders.’ Many key concepts are known to the best practitioners, and Steve devoured the available literature. He was willing to implement these ‘best practices.’ He was brave enough to suffer the pain associated with change and chose to experience authentic educational life, even though it brought reproach. Steve embraced the concept of the ‘learning community’: all members of this family are learners, including the teachers. Steve has been willing to grow on a daily basis and inspired his students to join him in a life of continuous change. He is an exemplar of the insight that ‘real life is worth the pain.’ He chose to follow in the footsteps of the One who suffered for us."

"This book will inspire you to be intentional with your time and thoughts. Mr. Doyle gives great insight into what a classroom should look and feel like, as well as the work needed to achieve it. He also suggests how to understand and engage with students so that learning is something students actually want to be present for. Read this book only if you are willing to challenge yourself to be the best educator you can be."

"I couldn’t agree more with Steve’s contention that we need failure to help us achieve our goals in life. I have faced many failures along the way, and thankfully, they have helped shape my successes. Whether it be my All-American year of basketball in college after reconstructive knee surgery the year before or the literal thousands of ‘passes’ on my song pitches before becoming a Grammy-nominated songwriter, failure has helped push me forward to bigger and better things. In today’s society, we need teachers like Steve more than ever…teachers who can help their students understand that learning from failures is probably one of the most important steps toward being successful in our life endeavors."

SHAYE SMITH

SHAYE SMITH CUSTOM LYRIC VIDEO

GRAMMY-NOMINATED SONGWRITER AND LYRIC VIDEO CREATOR

NASHVILLE, TN

"I love the way Steve has integrated student voices into his book. As an educator, it reminds me of the positive influence we can have on our students and the importance of always teaching with our core values in mind, and that is what this book is all about."

"Mr. Doyle’s book shows that relationship-building and investing time into learning about students truly do make all the difference. I recommend it to anyone who values human connections."

JASCHA

FORMER STUDENT, 2012 

"I could not put this book down. The thoughts, research, and testimonials that went into Mr. Doyle’s story offer hope for educators and students alike. I recommend this how-to guide to anyone who aspires to positively impact future generations.” 

HAYDEE

FORMER STUDENT, 2016 

"Steve’s passion for teaching children and being the best human possible shines through the pages of this book. My Travels in Education beautifully compiles personal stories from Steve and his students with teaching best practices to inform and inspire educators and anyone else who reads this book.”

"A wonderful reminder that every single student is intelligent and has the ability to thrive—not just in the classroom but in life. Mr. Doyle shows us firsthand how teachers and educators can make a lasting and meaningful difference in students’ lives by emphasizing that failure is good, failure is growth. Failure means we are learning. After all, how can we really live if we are not learning?"

"Mr. Doyle’s book identifies unique practices for educators to connect with diverse student populations and offers a unique toolkit for reflecting on one's personal teaching philosophy."

"A truly insightful book that sheds light on Mr. Doyle’s journey to educate his students and push them to become independent thinkers. Reading his book has been a constant inspiration because it reflects Mr. Doyle’s love for his students and his profession."

"Since my first day in Mr. Doyle’s class, I knew he would be one of my favorite teachers. I remember a quote he often referred to: ‘incentives matter.’ He taught us life lessons. Things that mattered. History class was more than just history. In the Epilogue of this sagacious book, Mr. Doyle shares the starfish story. It reminds me that I, too, am one of the starfish he cast into the ocean. One with great value and importance— even today. Read this book if you want to learn more about connecting with others and influencing their lives for the better."

"Steve constructs a mirror for all teachers and educators to reflect on the impact of positive, respectful treatment of students. Educational effectiveness results as a whole child/student is encouraged by our interpersonal relationship modeling."

"I really liked the book—especially the part about Steve’s desire to create ILPs for every student. As a mother of two children, one of whom has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for her disability, I know this would absolutely change the way our children are educated in the most positive way. It would affect a teacher’s ability to cater to the way students are engaged and help them soak in the knowledge every teacher hopes their students learn."

"Reading this book left me mesmerized and transported me back to Mr. Doyle’s classroom. The stories and testimonials were really a double-sided encapsulation of the experiences and wisdom of a seasoned educator as well as an adept student. Great job, Mr. Doyle."