Summer is the ideal time for teachers to catch up on their personal reading. Reading inspiring stories and innovations that can be brought to the classroom can help prepare teachers as they rest and recharge. The school year is incredibly busy and there isn’t a spare moment to read about the craft of teaching. This summer, choose a book or two to help make your summer extra productive.
- An inspirational book that reminds the reader of the power of education:
Educated: A Memoir
by Tara Westover
“An unforgettable memoir about a young girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University” – Amazon.com
- A book to change your perception about the job of teaching and open yourself up to better help your students:
I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything For Our Kids
by Kyle Schwartz
“One day, third-grade teacher Kyle Schwartz asked her students to fill-in-the-blank in this sentence: “I wish my teacher knew _____.” The results astounded her. Some answers were humorous, others were heartbreaking-all were profoundly moving and enlightening. The results opened her eyes to the need for educators to understand the unique realities their students face in order to create an open, safe and supportive place in the classroom. When Schwartz shared her experience online, #IWishMyTeacherKnew became an immediate worldwide viral phenomenon. Schwartz’s book tells the story of #IWishMyTeacherKnew, including many students’ emotional and insightful responses, and ultimately provides an invaluable guide for teachers, parents, and communities.” – Amazon.com
- The moments you share with students can be so important to their growth and success, this book digs deep into why shared moments can be so essential.
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
“The New York Times bestselling authors of Switch and Made to Stick explore why certain brief experiences can jolt us and elevate us and change us—and how we can learn to create such extraordinary moments in our life and work.” – Amazon.com
- A must read for new teachers embarking on their careers:
Your First Year: How to Survive and Thrive as a New Teacher
by Todd Whitaker, Madeline Whitaker, Katherine Whitaker
“Learn all the essentials for making your first year of teaching a success! In this exciting new book, internationally renowned educator Todd Whitaker teams up with his daughters—Madeline, an elementary teacher, and Katherine, a secondary teacher—to share advice and inspiration. They offer step-by-step guidance to thriving in your new role and overcoming the challenges that many new teachers face.” – Barnesandnoble.com
What books are in your to-read pile this summer?