As we’re heading into back-to-school territory, you might already be thinking about next year. But it is still summer, and prioritizing self-care is incredibly important year-round.What better way to combine professional development and self-care than with some great books? Here are a few HMH titles that will entertain you and enrich your teaching practice:
TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson
As an educator, you spend a lot of time speaking to an audience. From Chris Anderson, the curator of TED, this book is the perfect tool to work on your public speaking—covering all aspects of speaking from the content to the performance. Chris shares his insights from working with the most inspiring TED speakers to help you engage your students in the classroom. There’s also a young reader's edition, Thank You for Coming to My TED Talk, coming in March 2020 that you can share with your students too!
How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results by Esther Wojcicki
The “Godmother of Silicon Valley” shares her method to raise and educate children—Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness (TRICK). As a successful educator, mother, and mentor to legends like Steve Jobs, Esther Wojcicki is uniquely qualified to share her pedagogical methods. Discover how to encourage your students to become the best they can be and encourage social-emotional learning.
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb
Teachers manage the emotional well-being of their students every day while also taking care of their own mental health. In this book, therapist Lori Gottlieb explores what it means to be both clinician and patient—to exist in an in-between situation similar to a teacher’s position—and discovers that her own mental health journey isn’t much different from those of her patients. Use Maybe You Should Talk to Someone as a guide to support your mental health and that of your students.
Coaching Redefined: A Guide to Leading Meaningful Instructional Growth by Sherry St. Clair
Sherry St. Clair is a coach for coaches. Formerly a teacher, she helps instructional coaches deliver powerful results for teachers and education leaders. This book is an essential guide to coaching for any school leaders looking to transform their methods and enact real, long-lasting change on an individual and district level.
The Instructional Change Agent: 48 Ways to Be the Leader Your School Needs by Adam D. Drummond
Being a leader is a complex role. You work on individual and school levels and are responsible for so many different aspects of the learning environment. In this book designed for school leaders, Adam D. Drummond provides 48 ways to improve instructional leadership—from day-to-day support to enacting larger goals like enhancing school culture, boosting learner engagement, and collaborating with the community.
Thrive: 5 Ways to (Re)Invigorate Your Teaching by Meenoo Rami
Drawing from her own experience as a teacher, Meenoo Rami shares key ways to transform your teaching, whether you are a novice or veteran educator. Meenoo covers a broad range of topics, including networking, social media, and advocating for yourself and your students. If you’re feeling a little burnt out from last year, or are stressing about starting a new year, use this book to invigorate your teaching practice and make next year the best year yet!
The Best American Short Stories 2018 edited by Roxane Gay
Though not directly related to teaching, this anthology, edited by best-selling author Roxane Gay, is an excellent source of bite-sized fiction to help you relax outside the classroom. These stories will transform your perspective as they introduce you to a vibrant variety of characters and places.
So kick up your feet with a good book and enjoy your summer reading list!
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Looking for back-to-school reads for your students? Check out these blog posts with recommendations:
- "Helping Children Read the World: Stories From History" by Carol Jago
- "Head Back to School With These 10 HMH Classic Books" by Susan Steinway
