Fan Mail—Not Just From Dana's Mom
Fan Mail
"This incredible book made me laugh, cry, and finally understand the burnout that teachers endure every day. It provided new insight into what my daughter is experiencing as a teacher. A must-read for teachers, parents, and administrators who care about professional development."
— Miriam Lebental, Dana’s Mother and #1 Fan
"Dana’s story needs to be told, even though it breaks my heart. After more than three decades in education, I’ve witnessed both worlds: schools where teachers are supported and thriving, and those where impossible challenges overshadow the joy of teaching. Dana captures the latter with honesty and urgency. We know how to make schools successful; it’s time to implement those strategies everywhere, beyond just buzzwords."
— Valerie Saylor, Coordinator, New Teacher Development
"As a teacher with over two decades of experience in a low-socioeconomic, urban community, I found Dana’s book to be a deeply authentic and emotionally resonant portrayal of what it truly means to teach today. It doesn’t sugarcoat: overcrowded classrooms, shifting policies, and the emotional toll are all laid bare. For those of us in the classroom, it feels like a mirror. For those outside—parents, policymakers, the public—it’s a vital window into the hidden labor and heartache of the teaching profession. Reading it was validating, galvanizing, and, yes, laugh-out-loud funny in places I didn’t expect. It made me contemplate retiring early, but also reminded me why I stay in this challenging yet rewarding career."
— Tracy Williams, M.Ed., 20-Year Veteran Science Educator
Other Totally Real Reviews (Probably)
"It was so good I almost put down my phone. Almost." — Former Student
"The only professional development I didn’t sleep through. It actually addressed burnout, unlike those buzzword-filled sessions." — Anonymous Teacher, still bitter about PD bagels
"We thought we were helping. Turns out we were just providing Dana with material for her insights on burnout." — Anonymous Policymaker, still wiping tears
"Finally, someone admits that yoga and scented candles don’t cure burnout. My therapist thanks you for addressing real issues in professional development." — Fellow Burnout Survivor
Meet Dr. Dana
Teacher. Administrator. Reluctant crisis manager.
Dr. Dana Lebental has spent nearly two decades in public education as a teacher, administrator, mentor, and reluctant crisis manager. She has survived lockdowns, mandates, and more copier breakdowns than any human should. Hall Pass Press is where she turns all of it into laughs, survival tools, and the professional development nobody else will give you.