Still Standing: The Silent Struggles and Strength of Educators

Still Standing: The Silent Struggles and Strength of Educators

 

An Invitation to Share Your Story

Education is more than a career—it’s a journey of resilience, passion, and perseverance. Every educator has a story, a moment when they faced a challenge that tested their commitment to teaching. Whether it was navigating a difficult evaluation, overcoming burnout, advocating for students in challenging environments, or redefining their purpose in education, these experiences shape not just who we are as educators but who we become as individuals.

 

Still Standing: The Silent Struggles and Strength of Educators is a collection of powerful narratives from educators who have faced adversity and emerged stronger. This book is about the untold stories of perseverance—the moments when walking away felt like an option, but choosing to stay, to fight for students, and to stand firm in purpose led to something greater.

Why Your Story Matters

In education, challenges are inevitable, but they do not define the educator—you do. The long hours, the emotional investment, and the ever-changing expectations can take a toll, but your resilience is what makes the difference. By sharing your story, you provide hope, encouragement, and solidarity to educators everywhere who may be questioning their path or struggling to keep going.

This book will serve as a testament to the strength of educators—a reminder that while the challenges are great, the impact of those who persist is even greater. Your story could be the one that reminds someone why they chose this profession in the first place.

Who Should Contribute

This project is for educators who have experienced and overcome professional or personal challenges while remaining committed to their work. Your story might include:

  • Facing and overcoming a career setback, such as a difficult evaluation or unexpected professional transition
  • Navigating burnout, fatigue, or self-doubt and rediscovering purpose
  • Advocating for students despite systemic barriers or challenges
  • Finding strength after a personal hardship while continuing to teach and inspire
  • Transitioning into new roles while maintaining a passion for education
  • Overcoming obstacles that made you question your calling, yet choosing to continue making a difference

Your story does not need to be perfect—it just needs to be real.

What to Expect as a Contributor

As a contributing author, you will submit a 3,000-word personal narrative detailing your experience. Submissions should follow these formatting guidelines:

  • Word Document format
  • 12-point font, Times New Roman
  • Double-spaced

You will have 90 days to complete your submission, with stories due by June 15, 2025. The book is scheduled for publication in September 2025.

Contributors will receive writing support, professional editing, and guidance throughout the process. Selected contributors will also have opportunities to participate in book promotions, share their stories with a wider audience, and be recognized as published authors.

How to Submit Your Story

If you would like to be a part of Still Standing: The Silent Struggles and Strength of Educators, submit your completed story via email to ceciliamcolumbus@gmail.com with the subject line: Still Standing Submission – [Your Name].

For any questions, please reach out to ceciliamcolumbus@gmail.com.

Your journey matters. Your resilience deserves to be shared. Let’s inspire the next generation of educators together.

 

Please Note:

This is a collaborative book project that requires a small investment to participate.

Your investment helps cover the editing, publishing, contributor coaching, marketing support, and all the essential components that go into producing a powerful and professional anthology.

More details, including what's included and how it works, will be shared during the interest call.

Thank you for your interest and thank you for showing up for educators.

 

FAQ

What happens if the goal of having 20 co-authors isn’t reached?

If the goal of 20 co-authors is not reached, the anthology will still move forward with the contributors who have signed on. However, adjustments may be made to the production timeline or other aspects of the project. All contributors will be kept informed and supported throughout the process.

What happens to the money I invested if the project doesn’t reach its goal?

The funds invested go directly toward the coaching, editing, publishing, and marketing services provided as part of your contribution package. Even if the anthology does not reach its full goal of 20 contributors, you will still receive all the promised services, such as one-on-one coaching, writing workshops, editorial feedback, and access to resources, ensuring your investment retains its value.

Who will own the publishing rights to the anthology?

The publishing rights to the anthology as a whole will belong to Cecilia Columbus (CM Columbus Enterprise) as the publisher and organizer of the project. Contributors retain the rights to their individual stories but with specific limitations regarding verbatim usage.

• Adaptation and Reference: Contributors can adapt their stories, reference them, or cite portions in other works, but the story published in the anthology cannot be reproduced verbatim in its entirety in another book, project, or platform.

• Citing the Work: If citing parts of the story from the anthology, contributors must ensure it is not a word-for-word reproduction. Proper credit must also be given to the anthology as the original source.

Will anyone co-own the contributions I make?

No. You retain sole ownership of your story and contributions. Your story is yours to share, adapt, or republish as you see fit. The anthology provides a platform for your voice, but your rights to your work remain fully yours.

If I write other books and cite my work in the anthology, am I expected to share future profits?

No, there is no expectation for you to share future profits from books or projects that include content derived from your story in the anthology. Once your story is published, it remains yours to use freely, and any profits from future work are entirely yours.