The end of the school year can bring on a lot of challenges for educators – testing, grading, learners who just want to be anywhere else… But it also means that summer is that much closer, and with it, some time for educators to relax, reflect and focus on themselves for a bit.
One of our favorite summer pastimes is tackling our summer reading list (they’re not just for kids!), so we put together a list of some of the titles we’ll be tackling this summer and that we think the educators in our lives will enjoy as well.
We’ve broken the list into three categories. The biggest is Professional Growth and is full of titles that will help you reflect on your past year of work and offer some interesting ideas to consider as you plan for next fall. We’ve also included some titles for Personal Growth and Beach Reading, because honestly, your summer is all about focusing on you, and who doesn’t love a good beach read? Check out our summer reading list suggestions.
Professional Growth – Summer reading list
Lead Like a Pirate: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff by Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf
First we learned to Teach Like a Pirate, then we learned to Learn Like a Pirate, now Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf are showing us how to Lead Like a Pirate. As experienced educators and school leaders, Burgess and Houf explain what it takes to be a PIRATE leader (have Passion, Immerse yourself in your work, have a good Rapport with your staff, students and community, Ask questions and Analyze what is and isn’t working, seek positive Transformation, and have Enthusiasm). Pair this book with some time following and participating in the #LeadLAP twitter chat to connect with other PIRATE school leaders and to uncover some great additional resources.
Teaching in the Fast Lane: How to Create Active Learning Experiences by Suzy Pepper Rollins
If you’re looking to create a more learner-centered classroom where learners take responsibility for their own learning, but struggling to find the delicate balance between providing autonomy and structure, this new title from Suzy Pepper Rollins offers practical tips and strategies to help educators “let go” and create more active learning experiences.
Peer Feedback in the Classroom: Empowering Learners to be the Experts by Starr Sackstein
We often talk about the importance of giving learners control over their own education and honoring their voices in the classroom. One way to do that is by giving learners the opportunity to be the experts and provide feedback to their peers. In her new book, Sackstein provides insight into why this practice is so important, what meaningful feedback looks like, and how to implement peer feedback in your own teaching practice.
Our ultimate goal is to make sure all learners feel valued, cared for and empowered at school. In this book, Smith, Frey, Pumpian and Fisher lay out their Equity Taxonomy and Equity Audit – two tools that will help you develop the policies and initiatives needed to ensure all of your learners receive equitable education experiences.
Helping learners grow as people goes beyond making sure they know how to write a cohesive essay or problem solve their way through a complex math equation. In this book, Hawn and Holden talk about how mindfulness can help children learn better and become happier. They provide 10 minute exercises learners can practice to reduce their stress, increase concentration, and manage their emotions better in day to day life.
Visible Learners: Promoting Reggio-Inspired Approaches in All Schools by Mara Krechevsky 
If you don’t know about Reggio Emilia yet, you should. Read to learn more about how visible classrooms focus around learning that is purposeful, social, emotional, empowering, and representational. Key practices and classroom examples are shared.
A New Culture of Learning by Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown 
Thomas and Brown look at the challenges that our education and learning environments face in a fresh, positive way. Need to remember why you are in education? Need a fresh perspective? Read this book.
The power of play in learning and self regulation is real, but it’s also undervalued as students progress through school. Take some time to investigate how play informs learning.
Creating Cultures of Thinking by Ron Ritchhart 
Creating a culture of thinking is more important to learning than any particular curriculum and Ritchhart outlines how any school or teacher can accomplish this by leveraging 8 cultural forces: expectations, language, time, modeling, opportunities, routines, interactions, and environment.
FutureWise: Education Our Children for a Changing World by David Perkins 
There is no one answer to the question of what’s worth teaching, but with the tools in this book, you’ll be one step closer to constructing a curriculum that prepares learners for whatever situations they might face in the future.
Personal Growth – Summer reading list
You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living An Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
It’s like having your own personal (hilarious) success coach encapsulated in a NY Times best selling book.
In her wildly popular book, Kondo says she can teach us to simplify and organize once so that we never have to do it again. Spark joy by reading this book instead of signing up for her 3 month client waiting list. We also hear none of her past clients have lapsed.
Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant
After suddenly losing her husband in 2015, Sandberg feel into a deep depression. Option B tells the her story of building resilience, as well as the stories of a broad range of others who have experienced loss, hardship and trauma. With this book, we can learn how to help others in crisis, develop compassion for ourselves, raise strong children, and create resilient families, communities, and workplaces.
This book walks through the power of mindfulness in increasing calm, focus and happiness. It’s written by Dan Harris, a Good Morning America host who had a panic attack live on TV. He shares his journey speaking to neuroscientists, spiritualists and many others to learn how to meditate, all while giving practical tips for how to incorporate meditation into daily life.
Rosamund Stone Zander is a family therapist and executive coach. Her husband, Benjamin Zander is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic. In The Art of Possibility, they weave together their unique perspectives to present twelve practices for bringing creativity into all human endeavors.
Beach Reads
The Assistants by Camille Perri
Nothing is more dangerous than a well read woman they say…It’s been labeled “addictive, hilarious, and smart. It’s “9 to 5 for the student loan generation” and Publishers Weekly describes it as “if the characters from HBO’s Girls were capable of larceny and blackmail.”
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher 
Not your typical light-hearted beach read, this YA novel was the inspiration for Netflix’s controversial new series 13 Reasons Why. For anyone working with teens and young adults, it’s a jarring reminder to take a closer look at those students who may be struggling with much bigger problems than getting their homework done.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Ove is curmudgeonly, cranky and stubborn but you can’t help but fall in love with him. This book manages to be a charming, easy read while still triggering every emotion possible. And for those rainy summer days when you can’t make it to the beach, the Swedish-language film version, which was nominated for two Academy Awards, is currently on Netflix.
Not all beach reads need to be novels. This lovely collection of poetry tackles some of our darkest pains and heartaches with a healing sweetness.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman brings his unique voice and wit to the classic tales of Norse Mythology in this fantastical novel as he re-spins the tales of Odin, Thor and Loki.
What’s your favorite suggestion from our summer reading list?
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