You Suck, Sir

Book excerpt: Paul Bae is now a highly regarded comedian, podcaster, and the director of the Marvel Studios podcast Marvels, but he was once a high school English teacher. One day, during his student-teaching practicum, Paul Bae assigned weekend homework to the class. “You suck,” a student muttered. Mr. Bae turned on his heel, approached the student. “What did you say?” “Sorry. You suck, sir,” the student replied. Mr. Bae promptly returned to his desk, took out his teaching journal, and wrote down the exchange, which would become the first entry of hundreds of recorded encounters with students. Over the course of twelve years of teaching English, "Mr. Bae" -- or more simply, “Sir” -- kept several journals in which he recorded conversations he had with his students. You Suck, Sir presents the best of those conversations. Ranging from outrageously funny to touchingly poignant, these vignettes are full of heart. Paul’s stories are an irreverent, honest glimpse of teaching and learning and an inspiring peek into the connection one teacher has with his students. Both educators and anyone who has ever been a student will see themselves and their daily triumphs and struggles reflected here. You Suck, Sir is the latest title to be published under the Robin’s Egg Books imprint. Robin’s Egg Books features some of the freshest, smartest, and above all, funniest writing on a variety of culturally relevant subjects. Titles in the imprint are curated and edited by comedian, playwright, and author Charles Demers.