A gifted instructor and storyteller, Ken has been inspiring students and teachers for the last 47 years. Known for his ability to connect and engage with his audience Ken can adapt his presentations to the needs of your school or conference.

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    "What can I say, I immediately felt a rush of emotions while reading your book.  I hope someone is smart enough to make it into a movie.”…V. Keller

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    “This book is GREAT! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the book and continually laughed out loud. I highly recommend this book for everyone.”….H. Yelland

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    "It feels like I am reading a memoir from a gifted teacher who also happens to be a gifted storyteller." Amazon customer

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  • “It’s my second read and I still cried and laughed even though I already knew what was about to happen.” Amazon customer

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    "I really believe that it would make for a great movie.  I know this is a diamond! I can't wait to see it on the bestseller list everywhere., BRAVO, and Congratulations." … P. Garcia

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    "This book is great! Witty, warm, and wise. I love your conversational style and ability to make a story come to life.” ….J. Riley

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  • “I just finished it. WOW. Just WOW! You stayed true to yourself. Your humor throughout the book is such a joy. GREAT book. Humility, wisdom, everything.”…..E. O’Brien

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  • “I cannot find the words to express how touched I was by your book. There were so many chapters that brought me to tears and others that made me laugh out loud. So many great movie scenes. Wow!”….D. Etienne


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One Student at a Time is a memoir of some of the unbelievable experiences I have had during my extraordinary teaching career, including some of my incredible “life” experiences. The purpose of this book is to take the reader with me on my forty-seven-year journey into and out of the classroom, from inner-city New York to the Bay Area, California, and from junior high school all the way up to four-year university and everything in between. My adventures in teaching and life are a roller-coaster ride of failures, successes, frustrations, and pure joy.


Those who have had experienced the wonders of teaching will be able to relate to the ups and downs and storytelling that are inherent in being a successful teacher in an inner-city school. Those who have not will hopefully be able to relate to these compelling and captivating stories.


The book is filled with fascinating stories including my first day in front of a classroom which may have you rolling on the floor in laughter and there’s the story about me witnessing a classroom miracle which reshapes the life of Michael, a seventh-grade student, forever. Have a tissue nearby. 


You will also read about Jacque Dawes, the toughest kid in the school who undergoes a 180-degree transformation only to have a tragic ending. Then there’s Dorothy whose own tragic past keeps her from becoming the student she is meant to be. There are also the heartwarming stories about Dirk and Patricia who against all odds, overcame their fears and setbacks and found a way to fulfill their dreams. And get ready to laugh out loud while reading my Wheel of Fortune story where I tell a lie in order to get on the TV show and then go on to win three consecutive airings. 


As a writer and a storyteller, I want my readers to feel the raw emotions that I felt when these stories happened. So far, the reviews are telling me that I accomplished my goal.


I hope you enjoy the ride.


ABOUT THE BOOK

A Teacher's Journey
Ken Rand

Ken Rand is an award-winning college math professor who retired in 2015 after forty-seven years of teaching. Soon after retirement, Ken became a presenter and guest speaker at numerous statewide and national educational conferences. The encouraging feedback he received from those who have attended those presentations is one of the reasons that he decided to write his book.

Meet Ken Rand

What People Are Saying

I did finish your book. Wow!! Honestly, the best book on teaching that I have read in 42 years of teaching high school students and teachers. I am so thankful to you for writing this book and thankful that my number was drawn to receive a copy of the book!

 

I will be giving a copy of this to aspiring young teachers who I know. I'm convinced that it will be a source of hope and encouragement. I did submit a review to Amazon (this morning). 5 stars, of course! Here's what I submitted:

 

“I just finished reading Ken Rand’s book “One Student at a Time.” What an inspiration! This book should be required reading for every new teacher. If I could wave a magic wand and change some things in this world, one of the changes would be that every college and university that trains teachers would make this book required reading for every young, aspiring teacher, regardless of grade level or subject area. In fact, I would recommend that every veteran teacher, parent, school administrator, state legislator, school custodian, counselor, bus driver, cafeteria worker, librarian, coach, school nurse, guidance counselor, and taxpayer should read this book.

 

 As a retired teacher myself, I can relate to the stories that Ken told in this very readable page turner. I found myself laughing at times and crying as well. Even though Ken is a decorated, master teacher who shared within the pages of this book the times when he was successful, he openly shares stories of times when he fell short in his efforts. I found his humanity and honesty to be not only admirable, but a source of hope and encouragement to any struggling educator reading this book. I taught high school students for 42 years, and I will be giving a copy of “One Student at a Time” to my young friends and acquaintances who are thinking about being a teacher.” 



Thank you, Ken!

 

Joe Ruhl


The next review is from the On-line Book Club (3 Million members). The review was done by an independent professional reviewer Diana Lowery. Please do not skip the last paragraph.

 

“Ken Rand has managed to take teacher training to a new level. You don’t have to be a teacher or a parent to enjoy these tales. Rand is a natural-born storyteller. Reading this book is motivational and entertaining. One Student at a time is the basis for Rand’s educational philosophy.


I particularly liked that each one of these chapters began with a quote chosen for it relevance to education and teachings. The quote is followed by a multiple-choice question They all start with ‘Who said this? This unique beginning motivated me to find out more about the person who is quoted.


There are 38 chapters and each on describes a situation that occurred during Rand’s forty-seven years of teaching... My favorite chapter is ‘Michael: Story No. 2’ because it demonstrates the effect of positive peer pressure. I cried along with the students during this touching display of compassion.


… His honest assessment of his successes and failures is told in a lighthearted and humorous style. I laughed every time he was called to the principal’s office for another infraction of being innovative in the classroom….


Nothing about the book needs improvement…My rating is 4 out of 4. Teachers who need a morale boost should read this book. Parents who have children who are struggling academically need to read this book. Anyone who enjoys watching TV shows based on school setting will enjoy this book. Ken Rand has earned an A on this assignment. I would expect this book to be picked up and turned into a motion picture. This man’s memoir is that good."


Diana Lowery


"You're right.  I should've heeded your advice in having a box of Kleenex nearby. I can't say I liked it because like doesn't cut it.  I was moved because your stories were fully loaded with such power but delivered with simplicity and a very humble, sincere tone which any person can relate to, teacher or not  What can I say, I immediately felt a rush of emotions while reading your book.  I hope someone is smart enough to make it into a movie…. "


- V. Keller

“This book is GREAT. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the book and laughing out loud (where appropriate).!  I can picture it as a movie and am wondering which actor should play you?  I highly recommend this book for everyone--whether you are also a teacher, like myself, or you can recall ever being inspired by one. It's laugh out loud funny in a Mrs. Maisel sort of way. Ken’s depiction of his growth and how he learns to make meaningful connections to his students is both timeless and applicable to anyone wanting to make a difference in the world … "


- H. Yelland

“WOW!!  I love the chapter about your college instructor "Dr. Davis" and the stories about all of your students. It feels like I'm reading a memoir from a gifted teacher who also happens to be a gifted storyteller. It's my second read and I still cried and laughed even though I already knew what was about to happen.  I really believe that it would make for a great movie.  I know this is a diamond! I can't wait to see it on the bestseller list everywhere., BRAVO, and Congratulations. …"


- P. Garcia

"Your book is incredibly great! Witty, warm, and wise, as reviewers used to say. The stories of Jacque and Michael and Dorothy and Patricia are really moving, compelling and captivating. I love your conversational style and ability to make a story come to life. And it was great to read about your dad playing piano for your students, and with Dirk Etienne as well.  ..."


- J Riley

“I just finished it. Wow. Just wow. You stayed real and connected with people. You stayed true to yourself. Your humor throughout is such a joy. Great book. Humility, wisdom, everything. I loved the whole progression. You were right in the middle of some big pedagogical changes, and you jumped right in. And always your humanity, humility and humor making friends along the way. The air conditioning joke..."


- E. OBrien

“I can not find the words to express how touched I was by your book. There was more than one chapter that brought me to tears and others that made me laugh out loud. I am blessed to have met you…"


- D. Etienne

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