About the Book

“When a teacher gives anything other than glowing feedback, it's tough to keep from slipping into a defensive stance. Enter The Overly Honest Teacher...written by seasoned educator and administrator Meredith Essalat, M.Ed. The Overly Honest Teacher is filled with tangible advice from how to best communicate with your children's teachers to how to start your kids' school day off on the right foot.”
–Amy Lupold Bair, Founder of Resourceful Mommy Media, LLC

All parents want their children to have the tools to vocalize their emotions—to own their opinions, their fears, and their views of the world. But parents don’t always feel prepared to take on the role of model adult. 

As both a teacher and a school principal, Meredith Essalat has lived the daily challenges of helping children navigate through their young lives. She has seen the struggles that parents have as they balance long working hours with the demands of home life. She sees that it’s the teachers who are often caught in the middle. In an effort to stop pointing out each other's flaws—and instead letting kids know they are supported—Essalat offers hard-won pointers that enable parents, teachers, and students alike to encourage one another with accountability. 

Combining humor with straightforward, practical advice, The Overly Honest Teacher educates parents on how to embrace everyday parenting gracefully. The results will be well-adjusted, positive, enthusiastic young adults ready to work hard and learn vastly.

Jill Kargman

the writer and star of the television show Odd Mom Out

If you’re like me, you were dying to be a fly on the wall in your little kid’s classroom, and with this book you kind of get to be. Meredith Essalat, a veteran of the classroom, gives us a brave and tender sneak peek into our children’s little world, serving as a much needed bridge between parents and educators.

David Kirsch

wellness visionary and founder of the award-winning Madison Square Club in New York City.

The Overly Honest Teacher is filled with tangible advice from how to best communicate with your children's teachers to how to start your kids' school day off on the right foot.

Liz Vaccariello

Editor-In-Chief of Real Simple and former Editor of Parents Magazine

The Overly Honest Teacher, by former teacher and administrator Meredith Essalat, M.Ed., is an urgent, intelligent book about forging sound parent-teacher relationships. Aiming to “strengthen and improve advocacy” for today’s children, Essalat tackles the tough stuff, almost as Judge Judy cuts through the chaff to get straight to the points that matter.

Shawn LaTorre

Shawn LaTorre

Meredith gives a real, honest look at how we should view our children (they aren’t perfect and instead of trying to mold them into a perfect being that we want them to be, we should allow them to grow into who they are).

Shay

Outnumbered 3 to 1

The parent/teacher relationship needs to be one of mutual respect and transparency. Meredith has approached the subject with honesty, optimism and concrete strategies that can set up all families, and their children, for success.

Gina Rae Mitchell Blog

Combining humor with straightforward, practical advice, the Overly Honest Teacher shows parents how to welcome everyday parenting gracefully. The results will be well-adjusted, positive, enthusiastic young adults ready to work hard and take on the world.

Amy Lupold Bair

Resourceful Mommy

This witty, honest and wise book, The Overly Honest Teacher shows parents and teachers how to have a healthy, working relationship that benefits their classroom kids or children. It is filled with quick antidotes and advice for the busy, modern-day parent.

Leila M Brenner

Leels Loves Books

This book is full of good advice, a little humor, and some touching real experiences. The biggest thing you should take away from it – your kids don’t need to be perfect to succeed.

Liliyana Shadowlyn

The Faerie Review

In this book the author gives parenting advice from a teacher’s perspective. She clearly knows children. She wants us to filter what we say and how we act in front of our kids

Meet the Author

Meredith Rose Essalat is currently an elementary school principal in San Francisco, California. With a career in academia that has spanned over 17 years, she found her roots in collegiate student activities before moving into both elementary and secondary academic communities. In each of these opportunities, she witnessed the gamut of the scholastic, social, and developmental experiences of today's student. Most recently, Meredith spent nine years in Middle School education as both teacher and Dean of Middle School Curriculum. She possesses a BA in Mass Communication, a California-Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and two M.Ed.: one in Curriculum and Instruction, and the other in Educational Leadership. Meredith resides in California with her husband, Cameron.