Here’s a moment of honesty for you: I hate it when my administration sets up book study groups on any topic for professional development because I’m stubborn and don’t like being told what to read by others. 😉 and, the books they always choose put me to sleep! but I like to read professional development books to learn what other teachers and professionals recommend. and I want to read what other teachers are reading. so i asked some teachers in our intrepid first grade teachers facebook group and, as usual, they gave me some great ideas. So, I’ve compiled a list of 30 of the best books for professional development. I’m already reading #12 and #23 is waiting patiently on my nightstand!
You are reading: Books for teachers professional development
teacher recommended books for professional development
1-The Innovator Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Learn a Culture of Creativity – george couros
this book by george couros encourages teachers to deepen their innovative mindset. because if we have the right mindset we can empower students to maintain their wonder and curiosity.
2-Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator –dave burgess
This book promises to help you “transform your classroom into a life-changing experience for your students.” Dave Burgess suggests 30 hooks to captivate your class. and includes 170 brainstorming questions to guide your creative ideas in engagement.
3- Fostering Resilient Students: A Trauma Sensitive Classroom –kristin souers and pete hall
I have read this book twice and recommend it to other teachers. sometimes our students come from trauma-informed experiences. therefore, we must acknowledge trauma and engage sensitively with our students.
4–What Great Teachers Do Differently: 17 Things That Matter Most – todd whitaker
Teachers like myself struggle to find the inspiration to stay in this field, mainly because the last couple of years have worn some of us out! But, Todd Whitaker writes about how significant relationships are in education. and he offers some ideas and inspiration.
growth mindset professional development books
5-mindset: the new psychology of success-carol dweck
first, change the mindset. then, change the level of success. according to carol dweck, working with teachers and children to have a growth mindset increases achievement levels.
6-mindsets in the classroom: building a culture of success and student achievement in schools – mary cay ricci
The culture of the school and class has changed a lot! but, we keep changing with them! I love the author’s step-by-step approach to building a classroom focused on a growth mindset.
7-the path of conscious education: cultivating well-being in teachers and students – daniel rechtschaffen
“the path of conscious education is a practical guide to cultivate attention, compassion and well-being in these students and mindfulness in the teachers themselves.”
professional development books to inspire change
8-change your classroom: reach every student in every class every day – jonathan bergmann, aaron sams
This book piqued my interest! moves toward better reaching our students when we personalize our support. and suggests that teaching people with less teacher instruction and more 1:1 will improve participation.
9-teach with intention: define beliefs, align practice, take action -debbie miller
This book really inspired me as I have always had a strong personal philosophy about education and the needs of the classroom. but I questioned whether all of my personal beliefs aligned with my mission in my classroom. well, this book has helped me identify my intentional beliefs and align them with my teaching.
10-the first days of school, how to be an effective teacher-harry wong and rosemary t. wong
This book is considered a classic that every teacher, from novice to seasoned veteran, should read every year. why? because it helps review the need for structure and consistency. the authors focus on the beginning of each school year. but we need it all year long!
11-unlimited mind—jo boaler
Our brains are not “fixed”. And our abilities are not determined by our DNA. this book focuses on using a growth mindset to create immeasurable potential in ourselves and our students.
more recommendations from teacher friends
12 – Balancing Like A Pirate: Jessica Cabeen, Jessica Johnson & Sarah Johnson
well, work-life balance is essential, but hard to achieve! but, these three authors help you achieve more balance in your life. And it can reignite your passion for teaching!
13-Teach like your hair is on fire—Rafe Esquith
This book has tips, techniques, and innovations from “America’s Most Famous Fifth Grade Teacher.” His suggestions range from academic advice to personal codes of conduct.
14 total participation techniques persida himmele & william himmele
First, these full engagement techniques offer teachers many ways to engage students in active learning. As a result, active learning allows them to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.
15-help for billy by heather forbes
help for billy: an approach beyond consequences to help challenging kids in the classroom is phenomenal! Heather Forbes provides “detailed, comprehensive, and logical strategies for teachers and parents working with challenging children experiencing trauma.” in addition, a workbook is available if your staff may consider it in a book study group.
16- the daily 5, second edition by gail boushey & joan moser
the daily 5 serves as a manual for any teacher! the authors help structure their literacy and math groups. and give tips for providing impactful instruction in small groups and one-on-one.
and more from our teachers
17-know better, do better: teaching the fundamentals so all children can read by meredith liben & david freen
The point of this book is right in the title: this is how we can have the skills necessary for all students to read. In addition, the authors based their book on research on the poor reading skills of many students.
single-differentiated classroom of 18, the response to the needs of all students (ascd) by carol ann tomlinson
we all need this book! In my special needs classroom, I make a difference all the time! so i thought i knew it all! but, you will learn from this book just like I did!
19-The Habits of the Happy Teacher: 11 Habits of the World’s Happiest and Most Effective Teachers by Michael Linsin
with a billing like the one below, I need this book today!
“what do daffodils, baseball announcers and tina fey have to do with teaching? as a result, a lot. In The Habits of the Happy Teacher, Michael Linsin walks you through 11 little-known habits of the world’s happiest and most effective teachers.”
additional inspirational professional development books
20-i notice: a step-by-step guide to transforming students’ potential through intentional relationship building by claire e. halinan
We’ve all heard about how important it is to build relationships in the classroom. This book combines those intentional relationships with simple “I notice…” statements to change your classroom!
21 Classroom Management for Elementary Teachers: 15 Strategies for Managing Challenging Behaviors and Creating a Responsive Classroom by freya fan
Finally, a guide book we want to read! It gives us different techniques to develop a positive environment in the classroom. And you can boost your self-esteem as a teacher in the process!
22-hacking classroom management: 10 ideas to help you become the kind of teacher they make movies about by mike roberts
See Also: Bilingual Books for Kids, as Recommended by Teachers
So, have you seen an inspirational movie where the protagonist is based on a real-life fantasy teacher? With this book, the author claims that you can quickly learn the ten ideas that you can use today to be that teacher!
23-I wish my teacher knew: how one question can change everything for our children 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 made me cry!
must read professional development books
24 hours of culturally responsive instruction & zaretta hammond’s brain
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners is quite the title! but, this book lives up to it. Since all teachers need to be culturally sensitive to their students, sometimes we need help to reach that goal. and this book personally helped me a lot in my bedroom!
25-50 Literacy Strategies for Culturally Responsive Teaching, K-8 by Patricia Ruggiano Schmidt, Wen Ma
This book helps teachers become more aware of diversity. and provides practical strategies for teachers to make their literacy instruction culturally responsive.
26-what teachers do: in praise of the best job in the world by taylor mali
Have you heard the original poem “what teachers do”? taylor mali brilliantly responded to a sarcastic question at a dinner party!
27-the courage to teach: exploring the inner landscape of a teacher’s life by parker j. palm tree
well, this author promises to take “teachers on an inner journey”. And he wants to reignite every teacher’s passion for teaching! therefore, I’m in!
and some final books recommended by teachers
28-what it means to be a teacher: a celebration of humor, heart and hero in every classroom by jenn larson
well, do any teachers need some humor and heart to rekindle their love of teaching? well, I’m reading this book to laugh a little!
The 29 Kids Deserve It!: Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Conventional Thinking by Todd Nesloney
“Get inspired to take risks, shake up the status quo, and be a champion for your students.” how can we not read this book!
30-Putting Teachers First: How to Inspire, Motivate, and Connect with Your Staff (Education Eye) by Brad Johnson
now a book every director should have on their desk! And, let’s put teachers first!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ bonus ⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re wondering when you’ll have time to read any of these books, don’t worry, etc. has it covered. Join thousands of other elementary teachers who are part of our weekly email course teaching little humans. Each week, we send out short emails that can include book lists, teaching strategies, classroom activities, giveaways, and other teaching information. it’s a quick and easy way to learn new things when you’re short on time.
first of all, it was great creating this list! I am now inspired to carve out time in my schedule to read some of these great titles! And thanks to our intrepid teachers for some great suggestions! well, are you looking for some inspiration for yourself? Or are you looking for a gift for a teacher friend? please let us know if any of these books helped you or your class in any way. as we would love to hear from some of you!
written by – suzanne kelley
At education to the core, we exist to help our teachers build a stronger classroom as they connect with our community to find trusted, state-of-the-art resources designed by teachers for teachers. and we aspire to be the world leader & most trusted community for educational resources for teachers. In addition, we improve the lives of each teacher and student with the most complete, reliable and inclusive educational resources.
If you enjoyed what we have to offer at ettc, be sure to join our email list so you don’t miss a thing. Plus, we’re here to help with all of your resource needs. Become an Education to the Core premium member and receive immediate access to thousands of printable activities. so for a small monthly or annual fee, everything else can be at your fingertips all the time.
comments
comments
See Also: 20 Teacher Recommended Picture Books That Rhyme – Simply Kinder