Summer Reading 2023
As the warm, restful days of summer unfold, educators across the nation take a well-deserved pause from the academic hustle and bustle. For many, this pause comes with a chance to indulge in a favored pastime: reading. From rejuvenating novels to intriguing memoirs, summer reading serves a dual purpose. It's not only a source of relaxation and escape, but also an opportunity to engage in reflective and proactive professional development. This summer, I invite you to dive into a few thought-provoking books that have reshaped my perspective on education, discipline, time management, and technology.
We all know that teachers are lifelong learners. There's a special kind of joy in discovering new concepts, challenging old ideas, and reshaping our understanding of the world, one book at a time. From reimagining school discipline to confronting our fast-paced culture, these books offer fresh perspectives that challenge our preconceived notions.
So, grab a cup of your favorite iced drink, find a cozy spot in the shade, and prepare to immerse yourself in a sea of transformative ideas. Let's explore together how we can bring these insights from the realm of pages into our classrooms come fall.
Have you read anything that stuck with you this summer? Please share your book recommendations with us in the Professional Learning Community!
Change-able. How Collaborative Problem Solving Changes Lives at Home, at School, and at Work.
By J. Stuart Ablon
This book made me rethink everything I once thought about school discipline. I saw the author speak at a conference and immediately got the book. Be prepared for a challenge when you engage this book.
Speed. Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster - and Overcoming Our Fear of Slowing Down.
By Stephanie Brown
In this book, Stephanie Brown examines our fast-paced culture and draws a very provocative conclusion: being a workaholic has the exact characteristics of being an alcoholic. If you feel guilty about taking time off, or enjoying your leisure time during summer, this book is for you.
Four Thousand Weeks. Time Management for Mortals.
By Oliver Burkenman
I am always trying to find ways to optimize my time and to get through my to do list more effectively. This book takes a completely different view on time, time management, and productivity. A very interesting and provocative read.
Failure to Disrupt. Why Technology Alone Can’t Transform Education.
By Justin Reich
Artificial Intelligence is going to change everything in education! Maybe, but maybe not. Reich’s book examines many of the “promises” made by educational technology over the past 15 years and reveals that most of those promises were empty. What I love about this book is the acknowledgement of the unique culture of every classroom, and how difficult it is for educational technology to impact that culture.