Summer offers teachers and leaders a chance to rejuvenate after the demands of the school year. To embrace the spirit of summer renewal, we invite you to explore our 2023 summer reading list—a curated collection of ASCD books that honor the whole educator. With a focus on self-care, well-being, and professional development, these books empower educators to recharge, create positive learning environments, manage stress, and inspire themselves and their teams. These resources prepare educators to return to school as their best selves, equipped to make a beneficial influence on their communities and students.
Cultivating Teacher Well-Being
Credit: ASCD 2023
Make Teaching Sustainable: Six Shifts That Teachers Want and Students Need by Paul Emerich France [pre-order for August 3, 2023]
Make Teaching Sustainable delves into six mindset shifts teachers, coaches, and administrators can make to better support and empower the students under their guidance. Discover practical strategies and effective frameworks that promote educator well-being while maintaining high levels of effectiveness in the classroom. Drawing on research and interviews with practitioners in the field, France shares sustainable ways to thrive professionally.
Credit: ascd2021
From Stressed Out to Stress Wise: How You and Your Students Can Navigate Challenges and Nurture Vitality by Abby Wills, Anjali Deva, and Niki Saccareccia [pre-order for July 14, 2023]
Middle and high school students often face a barrage of stressors that hinder their ability to focus on their studies. This step-by-step resource introduces the stress-wise framework, encouraging secondary-level educators to help students develop their "stress IQ." By understanding and accepting stress as a natural part of well-being, both educators and students can learn to navigate challenges and regulate their responses to stress. Strategies in this practical guide equip teachers with the tools they need to create a supportive classroom environment where stress is managed effectively and students can flourish.
Teach Happier This School Year: 40 Weeks of Inspiration and Reflection by Suzanne Dailey
Educator, instructional coach, and podcaster Suzanne Dailey offers a collection of readings and reflections designed to cultivate a positive mindset and enhance teacher well-being. Each week, educators can try out thought-provoking exercises that encourage self-discovery, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose in their teaching practice. By unpacking what “happiness” means, Dailey helps educators bring their best self into the classroom, creating a positive and nurturing learning environment for both themselves and their students.
Instructional Excellence
Credit: ASCD 2023
Teach for Authentic Engagement by Lauren Porosoff
Looking to create authentic and engaging learning experiences that empower students? Lauren Porosoff shares innovative teaching practices that will captivate students' interest, ignite their curiosity, and enhance their motivation to learn. By implementing the strategies outlined in Teach for Authentic Engagement, teachers can cultivate a classroom where students are active participants in their own education, fostering a genuine love for learning and a sense of agency.
Credit: ASCD 2023
The Instructional Coaching Handbook: 200+ Troubleshooting Strategies for Success by A. Keith Young, Angela Bell Julien, and Tamarra Osborne
From the hard-won wisdom and experience of three instructional coaches, this guide offers practical research-based strategies to establish and sustain a successful instructional coaching program. From building strong relationships with teachers to conducting effective observations and providing meaningful feedback, the handbook equips coaches with the necessary skills and proven strategies to make a lasting impact in the classroom.
Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management by Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher, and Nancy Frey
How can educators create a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that goes beyond a system of rewards and punishments? These best-selling authors and experienced educators provide teachers with actionable ways to empower students to recognize and modulate their own behaviors. From community-building circles to recuperative conversations, this book gives educators a toolkit of restorative practices that promote positive behavior, support student growth, and encourage a sense of belonging.
Educational Leadership and Support
Credit: 2022
Jen Schwanke’s indispensable roadmap equips principals with dozens of powerful strategies to understand and support teachers effectively. By recognizing and exploring teachers’ key motivators, principals can aid in aligning teachers’ practice with student success. Packed with real-life stories and lessons, this book helps principals at all grade levels foster a positive, motivated, and effective teaching community that benefits everyone in the school.
Credit: ASCD 2023
Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color by Mary Rice-Boothe
How can leaders of color effectively navigate and address systems of inequity within education? This book goes beyond acknowledging inequities within educational systems by providing leaders of color with invaluable insights and strategies to navigate and dismantle these barriers. With a focus on empowering leadership and creating transformative change, this book is a must-read for leaders committed to creating a more just and equitable education system.
Personal Growth and Professional Development
Credit: 2022
Educator Bandwidth: How to Reclaim Your Energy, Passion, and Time by Jane Kise and Ann Holm
It's no secret that educators frequently experience feelings of overwhelm and stress within the ever-evolving landscape of education. Educator Bandwidth offers practical techniques to help educators effectively manage their time, prioritize tasks, and regain control over their professional and personal lives. It's time to take charge of your well-being and become the best version of yourself in and out of the classroom.
Compassionate Coaching: How to Help Educators Navigate Barriers to Professional Growth by Kathy Perret and Kenny McKee
In the realm of teaching, just like in any journey, obstacles and distractions often arise that threaten to steer educators off course. Coaching gurus Kathy Perret and Kenny McKee delve into common challenges teachers face and provide actionable strategies coaches can use to help teachers overcome these barriers, steering teachers toward transformative improvements in student achievement and job satisfaction.
The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again by Chase Mielke
Award-winning teacher and author Chase Mielke offers down-to-earth guidance and constructive tips to help teachers navigate the challenges of the education profession and create a healthy work-life balance. Whether you are a new teacher looking to establish sustainable practices or a seasoned educator seeking renewed enthusiasm, this book will encourage you to find joy in your teaching career. Are you ready to rediscover your love for teaching, reignite your passion, and give your absolute best to the learners in your care?
Looking for more? Stay tuned for ASCD's upcoming releases this summer, featuring books on teacher wellness, culturally responsive leadership, revitalizing pedagogy, and much more. Make the most of this sunny season by relishing the joys of summer and immersing yourself in books that will invigorate your teaching when fall arrives.
Become a member of ASCD for access to and discounts on more books. Some members receive books as part of their benefits, and all members save up to 20% off the list price on ASCD books and resources.
Become a member of ASCD for access to and discounts on more books. Some members receive books as part of their benefits, and all members save up to 20% off the list price on ASCD books and resources.
