FROM DAVID'S PEERS, COLLEAGUES AND STUDENTS
Testimonials
Colleagues, Associations & More
In an era when education everywhere is under attack, Dave Lance has written a necessary and valuable book from a unique perspective. A smart Black Chicago kid whose education has had its bumps in the road, Lance nonetheless forges a path that takes him as an impressive educator from some of the toughest schools in America to tough schools in Madagascar and the Philippines and perhaps his most challenging assignment - an Inupiat village in Alaska where he is looked upon with an almost impenetrable suspicion. Where DOES he belong? The answer is a surprising and moving one as he faces his demons and determines where he can finally do the most good. This book is a timely reminder of the everyday heroes who help mold us without fanfare through the educations they bestow.
Robin Hemley
2026 Gold Medal Recipient/Essay
Independent Publishers Book Awards for
How to Change History
In a previous career, Dave Lance had been a dogged journalist who asked the tough questions and never stopped digging. Dave brings that same determined spirit and tenacity to this gritty page-turner, producing a memoir sure to warm and break hearts in equal measure. Now a globe-trotting educator, he brings us to impoverished places many would have trouble finding on a map while never letting go of his deep Chicago roots, including the simpler times of attending baseball games with his dad.
Sean McClelland,
Former newspaper colleague
David Lance is the kind of educator who leaves an indelible mark on everyone who has the privilege of working alongside him. A remarkably passionate and dedicated teacher, David approached his classroom with a heart for learning and an unwavering commitment to his students. He stepped into the lives of so many young people not just as an instructor, but as a steady, dependable father figure. He mastered the rare balance of being tough but loving—setting high expectations because he truly believed in his students' potential, while ensuring they always felt supported, safe, and valued. He is genuinely invested in their lives and futures, and that deep care was evident in every single lesson he taught.
Beyond his direct work with students, David brought order to the everyday turbulence of school and home life. He had an incredible knack for paperwork chaos but was organized in his own way. While his deep dedication sometimes made him an overthinker—constantly tweaking plans and worrying over every detail to make sure things were done just right—it only spoke to how much he cared about his craft and his kids.
To know David is to witness an amazing educator in action and to gain a truly great friend. He was a constant source of support, offering encouragement, wisdom, and a reassuring presence through the busiest school days. His impact as both a brilliant colleague and a trusted friend continues to be felt by everyone fortunate enough to have shared a classroom or a school hallway with him.
Lindsay Bertoncini, CPS special education teacher/former co-teacher with Mr. Lance
What Dave Lance has highlighted is not just a story from one lens of an experience. As a former Peace Corps volunteer myself, Dave highlights what it is like to ingrain yourself in unfamiliar situations, countries and traditions. He understands, with an empathetic heart and attitude, how to make people feel comfortable and to use the opportunity to share some basic humanity - what it’s like to grow up, manage trauma, familial challenges, and ultimately grow and learn from these experiences. Dave's vast experiences of becoming “tamana” (comfortable) in Madagascar, the Philippines, Alaska and New York City shows his desire to get at the heart of relationships - people being people. Dave was not only was part of these various cultures, he was able to uniquely relate to everyone. Whether his vast sports knowledge, his heart-warming attitude, or his general open-mindedness allowed him to flourish in every situation. His writing shows a kind-hearted man that really pushes himself - and the reader - to take life lessons and impart wisdom to youth, whether in the Southside side of Chicago, the desolate cold of Alaska, or the warm tropics of Africa.
Lisa Mooneyhan Brown, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Madagascar, 2007-09
From the Students
My name is Neayah B., and I’m a sophomore at Tilden High School in Chicago. I think everyone in our class did respect Mr. Lance a lot throughout our time with him. Even though everyone yelled, argued, and did not like him at some point, sooner or later we all grew to love and respect him. It showed a lot, too, because when he left us to go to his other school, everyone was either sad that he left or very disappointed because we all liked Mr. Lance a lot and were sad to see him go. Everyone in our class talked about him for mostly the whole year he was not there, saying how we hated how strict he was and all the work he assigned, but we missed him so much and could not believe he left us.
My name is Timothy R., and I am currently a sophomore at Hyde Park Academy High School in Chicago. Mr. Lance was my sixth- and eighth-grade English teacher at Sherman School of Excellence. I was also one of the students he wrote about in his book. I was one of the students who emailed Mr. Lance and asked if he could return to Sherman.
My relationship with Mr. Lance was similar to having an uncle. One of the things I remember most about Mr. Lance’s class was all the times we had ice cream and pizza parties. Mr. Lance had a goofy side, but he also knew when it was time to be serious and get to work. He was a teacher who wanted his students to succeed while still making learning enjoyable.
My name is Levi, and I am a sophomore at Dyett Arts High School in Chicago. The relationship between David and me has certainly been a rocky road. We have had arguments, yelled, made up, and been through it all together. Mr. Lance is the kind of teacher you can talk to about any and everything. If you ever got in trouble in someone else's classroom, you could escape to his room. He would definitely ask what happened, and while he wouldn't be outright angry, he would wear that disappointed look even if he didn't say a single word.
Looking back on those years, I realize that certain people walk into your life and become much more than just a title. When he was my English teacher in sixth grade, he wasn't just another instructor standing at the front of a classroom. He was someone I could genuinely laugh with, learn from, and honestly, someone who felt like my own school grandpa.
My name is Minnie Lee and I am currently a sophomore. Mr. Lance taught me during my 7th grade year before returning to his previous school to support kids in more impoverished areas. To say that he is the best teacher I've had is an understatement. His classroom was a space of learning but transcended the labels and expectations of an average middle school English class. Mr. Lance created an environment that was a safe haven for many. He was open to sensitive conversations and made an effort to bond with each and every student. He created nicknames, jokes, and other attributes that emphasized each child’s unique being. No matter the personality- shy, outgoing, serious, silly- he found a way to make them all comfortable. Despite being a friend he retained his professional behavior and earned excessive respect due to the rare combination of values.
His character translates into his work ethic as well. His lessons were simple but more impactful than the average teacher’s. We were to read books while completing reading comprehension questions that encouraged independent inquiry and genuine focus. The additional texts we read were so authentically intriguing and complex that I crossed paths with them in my freshman year Honors English class. Even after he left, Mr. Lance provided us with new book recommendations and questions to think about. My story with Mr. Lance is only one of the many kids he's impacted through his work as a teacher, adventurer, and person. He has taught me how to excel as a student but also as a human being, and that is something I can never thank him enough for.