You Suck, Sir: Chronicles of a High School English Teacher and the Smartass Students Who Schooled Him

Before he became a famous stand-up comedian and podcast creator, Paul Bae taught English in Vancouver’s largest public school. One day during his student-teaching practicum, he assigned weekend homework to an English class.

A student muttered, You suck.

Mr. Bae turned on his heel, approached the student, and sternly asked, What did you say?

The student replied, Sorry. You suck, sir.

Mr. Bae promptly returned to his desk, took out his teaching journal, and wrote down the exchange. That would become the first entry of hundreds of encounters with students.

Over twelve years of teaching English, Paul Bae-known simply as
Sir or Mr Bae -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.