ANARCHIST ATHEIST PUNK ROCK TEACHER
A MEMOIR OF STRUGGLE, GRIEF, PHILOSOPHY AND HOPE
DaN McKee
Available now on paperback and eBook from EARTH ISLAND BOOKS, or wherever you get your books…
Exploring the various ways in which anarchist philosophy, atheism, and a background in DIY punk rock influenced one conflicted teacher's approach to the classroom over twelve turbulent and thought-provoking years, 'Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher' is more than just a memoir of some teacher you've never met. It is philosophy of education, of anarchism, of authenticity, and of life. Throw in some personal history, the deaths of both of his parents to deal with on top of juggling all the professional absurdities that come with the job (not to mention having to teach through a global pandemic), and you have all the earmarks of a biographical classic. Sharing frontline insights which help explain why currently one in three teachers in England plan on quitting the profession, and the first-hand experience of being one of those very statistics, this memoir of struggle, grief, philosophy and hope tells a story of why, despite all its endless frustrations and inherent contradictions, there still might be no better job in the world than being an 'Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher'.
Read the EARTH ISLAND BOOKS press release for Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher HERE
This episode of the ANARCHIST ESSAYS podcast series from Loughborough University’s Anarchism Research Group features an excerpt from Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher read by me. The essay - ‘Anarchist: Subverting The System From Within’:
Here’s a Spotify playlist I made of all the songs of mine mentioned in the book, and my brand new song - Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher - which I wrote to celebrate the book’s release:
And if you just want to buy the new song, inspired by the book, you can do so here at my Bandcamp page:
Hear me talking about the book, teaching, anarchism and punk on UNDER THE PAVEMENT and hear two exclusive new songs too (Anarchist Atheist Punk Rock Teacher and Make Friends With My Dread), one of which is unreleased!
Interested in some of my ‘zine columns from back in the day? Check some oldies out here.
And here’s a thing I wrote last year about punk, failure, and queer theory.
In London? Pick up a copy of the book at All Ages Records in Camden Town!
Also - not strictly related to the book but if you’re interested in more of my thoughts on teaching then check out this interview I did earlier in the year with The Independent Teacher podcast.
