About Teacher Misery | Teacher Misery

Founder of Teacher Misery, Jane Morris, with her two daughters.

Jane Morris is my pen name, and my real name is Lauren. I grew up on Long Island, New York. I did stand-up comedy in college while I pursued my teaching and English degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

After that, I moved to the D.C. metropolitan area to start my teaching career. I taught high school English – all grades and levels. I always had a knack for relating to teen angst more than most people could, but as soon as I started teaching, I knew there was no way I could do it long-term without becoming sick or crazy. Or both.

I needed an outlet for all of the nonsense I experienced every day, so I started venting on social media. My following on Instagram grew very quickly as it became a place where teachers could feel relief that someone was telling it as it really was and connect with others who were experiencing the same misery. Along the way, I got my Master’s Degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University and started to write about my teaching experiences.

I self-published three books…

…and they are all BESTSELLERS!

I also published two hilarious coffee table books:

I have always been completely authentic about how my day went, what I was feeling, what I found funny or crazy or awful, etc. If I sat in my car in tears at the end of the day, wondering if I could be a teacher for even one more day, I posted about it.

A photo of Clover Bean, Jane Morrison's extremely cute dog.

The support and encouragement my audience gave me for truth-telling was huge. It allowed me to continue teaching for 17 years, whereas if I didn’t have the outlet and supportive community I created, I probably would have quit in my first five years, as many teachers do.

I recently left teaching after being diagnosed with PTSD. This led me to open an online store so I could sell funny little reminders for teachers that they are not alone in the madness and frustration they experience! I have two young daughters, and a scrappy puppy named Clover Bean McCloverson.

The Team

Teacher Misery is made up of a team of current and former teachers who are here to make your teaching experience a little less sucky (or at least help you smile and feel less alone).

Relief

Teaching sucks sometimes. Teacher Misery is here to help you laugh through the tears.

Community

You’re not alone in your misery! Let us provide a safe space to vent and commiserate.

Education

We’ll show you what it’s really like in the classroom and how to make things better.

My Books

Teacher Misery

An important book for teachers and non-teachers alike, Teacher Misery perfectly encapsulates the comical misery that has become the teaching profession.

Buy now

More Teacher Misery

In More Teacher Misery, Morris tackles even more of the hilarious, unbelievable, and completely absurd experiences of teachers around the country.

Buy now

What It’s Really Like

What It’s Really Like includes stories from teachers around the U.S. that will equally break your heart and give you the motivation to keep going in this profession.

Buy now