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Summer provides teachers with a golden opportunity to rest, recharge, and engage in personal and professional development. This break from teaching duties allows us to immerse ourselves in books and PD sessions that can improve our teaching skills and jump-start personal growth.

By dedicating some time to read and reflect on educational and personal development topics, we can equip ourselves with fresh insights and knowledge that can be instrumental in setting up a successful upcoming school year. When I read a book, I often complete a "book notes" summary to solidify and record what I have learned. Here are some of them.

Reading is a valuable process of continual self-improvement, and the insights gained, though seemingly small, can compound over time, resulting in significant professional growth. The books recommended in this guide serve as a means of professional development, focusing on innovative teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, and a path to personal development. The links below are affiliate links, which means if you use them to purchase a book, you help support this website and weekly newsletter. Thank you!

They offer insights into mindfulness, self-compassion, and habit formation, which can enhance one's personal life, well-being, and teaching effectiveness.

Professional Development

The Innovators Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity

"The Innovators Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity"* is a book that encourages a shift in traditional educational paradigms towards innovative approaches that foster creativity and talent. It highlights the importance of empowering students to explore, question, and learn in a flexible and creative environment. By reading this book, educators can gain insights into fostering an innovative mindset, sparking creativity in the classroom, and effectively harnessing the potential of their students, thus leading to a transformative learning experience.

Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity and Transform Your Life as an Educator

"Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity and Transform Your Life as an Educator"* is a book aimed at inspiring teachers to reinvent their teaching methods. This book offers a wealth of innovative strategies to increase student engagement and boost creativity in the classroom. It is highly motivational and offers suggestions to bring joy and excitement into your classroom.

Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College

"Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College"* is an educational guide that provides teachers with a variety of effective teaching techniques. By reading this book, educators can learn strategies to boost student engagement and academic performance, potentially setting their students on a successful path toward higher education. One of my favorite aspects of this book is that many of the suggestions are “high leverage,” meaning they impact a large number of students simultaneously, improving the efficiency of instruction.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Can Talk

"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Can Talk"* is a practical guide that offers effective strategies for communicating with children respectfully and productively. It teaches how to engage with children in a way that fosters mutual respect, promotes understanding, and strengthens the parent-child relationship. The benefits of reading this book include improved communication skills, enhanced understanding of children's needs and perspectives, and the development of strategies that encourage children to express themselves openly and honestly.

Teaching With Love and Logic

"Teaching With Love and Logic" is a book that offers a unique approach to classroom management, focusing on building relationships and teaching responsibility. It provides educators with practical strategies for fostering respectful teacher-student relationships, encouraging student accountability, and creating an effective learning environment. The benefits of reading this book include gaining insights into positive classroom management strategies, developing a better understanding of fostering student responsibility, and enhancing teacher-student relationships. This book significantly helped me improve my classroom room management skills. Highly recommended.

The EduProtocol Field Guide: 16 Student-Centered Lesson Frames for Infinite Learning Possibilities

“The EduProtocol Field Guide: 16 Student-Centered Lesson Frames for Infinite Learning Possibilities”* Will help you increase engagement across the curriculum, fostering the development of students' collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills. My favorite EduProtocols are the Iron Chef and The Fast and The Curious. You can read my book notes here.

Personal Development

The Four Agreements

"The Four Agreements"* is a transformative guidebook by Don Miguel Ruiz, grounded in traditional Toltec wisdom. The book presents four principles - "be impeccable with your word", "don’t take anything personally", "don’t make assumptions", and "always do your best" - that, when practiced, can lead to freedom from self-limiting beliefs and a sense of peace. Reading this book can provide readers with valuable insights into personal growth and self-awareness, helping them to navigate life more effectively and nurture healthier relationships. I re-read this book every year. I’ve found it most useful in helping me overcome challenges with parents, colleagues, and students.

The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students

"The Way of Mindful Education: Cultivating Well-Being in Teachers and Students" educators to integrate mindfulness into their teaching practice. Reading the book can provide teachers with practical strategies for creating a calm and focused classroom environment. It can also offer insights into how mindfulness can enhance students' learning experience and foster well-being.

Atomic Habits

"Atomic Habits"* is a critically acclaimed book by James Clear that provides practical and actionable strategies for forming good habits, breaking bad ones, and mastering the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. The book teaches how habits work and how to make them work for you. Reading "Atomic Habits" can enhance personal productivity, help readers achieve their goals more effectively, and contribute to a better understanding of how small changes can significantly impact over time. You can read my book notes here.

The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom

"The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom"* is a book aimed at helping educators establish a calm and harmonious classroom environment. The book presents strategies for cultivating mindfulness and tranquility in the often chaotic teaching world. You’ll come away with practical tools to manage stress and enhance your teaching effectiveness, ultimately fostering a more focused, simpler, and serene classroom for your students.

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity

"Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" is a comprehensive guide that explores the science behind longevity and provides practical advice on extending one's lifespan. The book covers various topics, including diet, exercise, stress management, and mental health, all grounded in scientific research. By reading this book, individuals can gain invaluable insights into how to live a longer, healthier life and understand the crucial role of lifestyle choices in promoting longevity.

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

"Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself" by Dr. Kristin Neff is a powerful book that emphasizes the role of self-compassion in our lives. You’ll learn to treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding they would offer others in times of failure or pain. The book offers practical strategies for taming self-critical thoughts and fostering self-kindness, leading to increased resilience, improved mental well-being, and a more balanced approach to handling life's challenges.

What books would you add to this list?

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