John King’s Book ‘Teacher By Teacher’: A Global Tribute to the Transformative Power of Education

For John B. King Jr., former U.S. Secretary of Education, school wasn’t just a place—it was a lifeline. In his newly released memoir, Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives, King traces his journey from a grief-stricken child in New York to the corridors of educational leadership in Washington, D.C. But while the book is rooted in the American educational experience, its messages about the impact of teachers resonate far beyond U.S. borders.

In an exclusive interview with Education Week’s Sam Mallon on May 5, 2025, King reflected on his memoir, the teachers who shaped his life, and the ongoing challenges educators face worldwide.

A Childhood Saved by Teachers

King’s story is a testament to the power of mentorship. Following the death of his mother and his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, school became King’s sanctuary. “Teachers saved my life,” he shared, recalling how educators believed in him, nurtured his potential, and gave him hope even when the world outside seemed dark.

From those formative years, King went on to earn degrees from Harvard, Columbia, and Yale. His career as a teacher, school principal, education policymaker, and eventually, U.S. Secretary of Education became a journey of giving back. The memoir celebrates not only King’s personal resilience but the quiet heroism of teachers everywhere.

Former Secretary of U.S Education John King. Image Source- EducationWeek

While King’s book is anchored in American education, the messages it carries are universally relevant. Teachers worldwide are grappling with challenges—overcrowded classrooms, mental health issues among students, and ever-changing education policies. In his interview with Education Week, King highlighted how schools must be more than academic factories. They must be safe havens, places of healing, and hubs of inspiration.

King advocates for “trauma-informed practice”—an approach where teachers are equipped to understand and support students facing emotional challenges. This is a lesson that transcends borders, as schools globally encounter rising mental health concerns among students.

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Teacher Evaluations and Policy Pressures

King’s time as U.S. Secretary of Education was marked by ambitious reforms—from implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to pushing for more rigorous teacher evaluation systems. But looking back, he acknowledges a key lesson: change cannot be forced without teacher buy-in.

“Teachers can’t be bombarded with reforms,” he explained. Change must be gradual, and educators must feel a sense of ownership over new policies.

King’s narrative is ultimately about hope. In his memoir, he shares how a single teacher’s encouragement can change a student’s life trajectory. He recalls how his father’s legacy as New York’s first Black deputy schools chief was kept alive by a former student who, years later, shared how impactful his father’s teaching was.

Teaching is more than a job—it is a calling. It is a force for social good, a platform for mentorship, and a means to nurture the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and dreamers. King’s Teacher By Teacher is a reminder that educators everywhere have the power to transform lives, often without even knowing it.

Though written from an American perspective, Teacher By Teacher is a love letter to educators everywhere. It is a call to support teachers, to understand the pressures they face, and to recognise the life-changing impact they can have on their students.

For a world that often takes teachers for granted, John King’s memoir is a reminder of the heroes who stand at the front of every classroom, ready to make a difference.

Excerpts referenced in this article were taken from John King's exclusive interview with Education Week on May 5, 2025, in Washington, conducted by Sam Mallon for Education Week.

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