By: Marcus Ellison

When Nicole R. Terrizzi began teaching in an under-resourced elementary school in Kansas City as part of the Teach for America program, she brought with her not just ambition and heart, but a strong belief in the potential transformative power of education. What she didn’t expect was how profoundly the experience would shape—and challenge—her, both professionally and personally.

In her compelling memoir, Learning in Free Fall, Terrizzi revisits that chapter of her life with remarkable honesty and emotional clarity. The book explores the complex interplay of educational inequity, mental health, and personal history, revealing the human cost of teaching in a system that often places heavy demands on educators without commensurate support.

Raised in rural Iowa in a household marked by alcoholism and instability, Terrizzi arrived in the classroom with a deep sense of empathy for students facing trauma and adversity. But the realities of teaching in a school labeled as failing—where disciplinary practices were harsh, resources were scarce, and support was minimal—proved overwhelming.

“I went in wanting to be the adult I needed when I was growing up,” she says. “Someone who showed up, who listened, who cared without conditions.” And she worked tirelessly toward that goal. But as Terrizzi forged deep, meaningful connections with her students, she also found herself navigating an emotional minefield. With her own family far away, she poured her energy into her students, sometimes to the point of blurring the lines between professional care and personal involvement.

Her advocacy for students, especially her willingness to speak out against questionable disciplinary practices, led to professional isolation. Within a short time, she sensed she had been labeled a “problem teacher” by some administrators and peers. The emotional toll of that ostracization, combined with the weight of her own past and the pressures of the classroom, created what she now describes as a “perfect storm” for her mental health.

Terrizzi turned to journaling as a lifeline during those years—scribbled reflections after long school days, notes of exhaustion, frustration, and hope. A decade later, she returned to those entries and transformed them into a memoir. Not because she wanted to tell a story of triumph, but because she felt compelled to tell the truth. “This isn’t a book about saving anyone,” she says. “It’s about what it means to care deeply in a system that’s not built to sustain that kind of care.”

Learning in Free Fall does not offer neat resolutions. Instead, it walks readers through Terrizzi’s emotional landscape—her struggles with anxiety, her attempts to find stability, and ultimately, her decision to seek therapy and later, electroconvulsive treatment, when other interventions fell short. Her courage in sharing these deeply personal moments is not sensationalized; it’s shared with care and a sincere intention to reduce stigma.

Writing about such a difficult time also meant considering the privacy of others, especially the children she taught. “I was very intentional about protecting identities,” she explains. “I changed names, removed identifying details, and sometimes created composite characters to ensure privacy while still honoring their stories.”

What results is a portrait of a teacher who did her utmost under extraordinarily difficult circumstances—and who learned, often the hard way, that boundaries are essential for sustainability. While Terrizzi has no regrets about her time in the classroom, she is clear that more must be done to protect and support educators. “We ask teachers to do so much—often with very little training in trauma, emotional regulation, or self-care,” she says. “That’s not sustainable. That’s not fair.”

The memoir highlights the pressing need for systemic reform in education, not only for students but for the adults guiding them. Terrizzi advocates for better mental health support for educators, proactive emotional education for students, and school cultures that prioritize well-being alongside academics.

Through her writing, Terrizzi adds her voice to a growing conversation about what it truly means to care for children in challenging environments. Her reflections point to the importance of recognizing teachers as whole people, not just vessels of instruction, but individuals navigating their own lives, struggles, and healing.

Now working outside the classroom, Terrizzi continues to champion equity and wellness in education. She hopes Learning in Free Fall will resonate not just with teachers but with anyone who has ever struggled with burnout, mental health, or the weight of unmet expectations. “I want people to see themselves in this story—not just the hard parts, but the hope,” she says. “Because there is hope. Even when everything feels like it’s falling apart, there’s always a way through.”

At its heart, Learning in Free Fall is about finding that way through. It’s about resilience, honesty, and the quiet strength it takes to keep showing up—not only for others, but for oneself. In an era when many educators are questioning their role in the system, Terrizzi’s story is a timely, thought-provoking reminder that the voices from inside the classroom, especially the ones that speak with such vulnerability and truth, are the ones we would do well to hear most.

Learning in Free Fall by Nicole R. Terrizzi is now available on major platforms, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more. Whether you prefer reading in print or digitally, you can find the memoir in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats. For those seeking something special, signed copies and exclusive bundles are also available through the author’s website at NicoleTerrizzi.com. This compelling and timely story of resilience, advocacy, and the fight for equity in American education is well worth exploring.

Published by Joseph T.