Mike Paul

The Top 7 Professional Development Books for Teachers

In the ever-evolving education landscape, continuous professional development is crucial for teachers striving to enhance their skills and improve student outcomes. As educators, we are always seeking resources that can inspire and guide us through the challenges of modern teaching. Professional development books are an invaluable asset, offering insights, strategies, and perspectives that can transform our teaching practices and reinvigorate our passion for education.

In this blog post, we highlight seven must-read professional development books that every teacher should consider adding to their reading list. From understanding the power of vulnerability to implementing equitable grading practices, these books cover various topics designed to support and empower educators. Whether you are looking to foster a more inclusive classroom, engage students through culturally responsive teaching, or explore innovative educational practices, these books provide practical advice and inspiration.

Each book in this list has been carefully selected for its relevance, impact, and ability to address current educational challenges. We delve into the key takeaways and reasons why these books are essential reads for teachers committed to professional growth and student success. So, grab a cup of coffee, find a comfortable spot, and get ready to explore some transformative reads that will enrich your teaching journey.

Professional Development Books for Teachers — Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

1. “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown

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Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Hardcover Book
Brown, Brené (Author)
English (Publication Language)
304 Pages – 09/11/2012 (Publication Date) – Avery (Publisher)

Overview: Brené Brown explores the concept of vulnerability, challenging the idea that it is a weakness. She argues that vulnerability is a path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connections.
Key Takeaways: Understanding and embracing vulnerability can transform teaching practices and classroom management, fostering a more engaging and empathetic learning environment.
Reasons to Read: This book helps teachers develop stronger relationships with their students and colleagues by promoting authenticity and courage in the classroom

2. “Street Data” by Shane Safir and Jamil Dugan

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Street Data: A Next-Generation Model for Equity, Pedagogy, and School Transformation

Safir, Shane (Author)
English (Publication Language)
282 Pages – 03/09/2021 (Publication Date) – Corwin (Publisher)

Overview: Shane Safir and Jamil Dugan propose a new approach to data usage in education, focusing on qualitative data that captures student experiences and voices.
Key Takeaways: The authors provide a framework for using “street data” to create more equitable and responsive educational practices.
Reasons to Read: This book is valuable for educators and administrators seeking to transform their schools by centering student voices and experiences in their data practices

3. “The Art of Coaching: Effective Strategies for School Transformation” by Elena Aguilar

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The Art of Coaching: Effective Strategies for School Transformation

Aguilar, Elena (Author)
English (Publication Language)
368 Pages – 03/04/2013 (Publication Date) – Jossey-Bass (Publisher)

Overview: Targeting instructional coaches and leaders, this professional development book offers insights into emotional intelligence and collaboration.
Why Buy: If you’re in a leadership role, this book will equip you with the tools for transformative education.

4. “The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education” by Tom Vander Ark, Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen

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The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education

Vander Ark, Tom (Author)
English (Publication Language)
150 Pages – 03/09/2020 (Publication Date) – ASCD (Publisher)

Overview: This book explores place-based education, where learning is deeply connected to the local environment and community.
Key Takeaways: The authors provide examples and strategies for integrating place-based learning into the curriculum, making education more relevant and engaging.
Reasons to Read: Teachers interested in making learning more meaningful and connected to students’ lives will find this book a valuable resource for implementing place-based education

5. “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too” by Christopher Emdin

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For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education (Race, Education, and Democracy)

Emdin, Christopher (Author)
English (Publication Language)
232 Pages – 01/03/2017 (Publication Date) – Beacon Press (Publisher)

Overview: Christopher Emdin shares his experiences and insights on teaching in urban schools, offering practical advice for educators working in diverse settings.
Key Takeaways: The book emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and reality pedagogy in engaging and supporting all students.
Reasons to Read: Educators will benefit from Emdin’s strategies for creating more inclusive and effective learning environments in urban schools

6. “Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain” by Zaretta Hammond

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Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

Hammond, Zaretta L. (Author)
English (Publication Language)
192 Pages – 12/01/2014 (Publication Date) – Corwin (Publisher)

Overview: Zaretta Hammond combines neuroscience and culturally responsive teaching to offer strategies that enhance student engagement and achievement.
Key Takeaways: The book includes ten key moves for teachers to make in diverse classrooms, helping students connect and thrive.
Reasons to Read: This book is essential for educators who want to understand and implement culturally responsive teaching practices, improving educational outcomes for all students

7.“Grading for Equity” by Joe Feldman

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Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms

Feldman, Joe (Author)
English (Publication Language)
344 Pages – 09/20/2023 (Publication Date) – Corwin (Publisher)

Overview: Joe Feldman addresses the inconsistencies and biases in traditional grading systems and offers strategies for more equitable assessment practices.
Key Takeaways: The book provides practical ideas for creating grading systems that promote fairness and support student learning and growth.
Reasons to Read: Educators looking to reform their grading practices will find valuable insights on how to implement equitable assessments that benefit all students

Conclusion

The world of education is ever-changing, and professional development books for teachers are essential tools to navigate this dynamic landscape. These top 7 professional development books for teachers offer diverse insights and strategies to cater to different needs and teaching styles. Whether you’re looking to inspire, innovate, or introspect, there’s a book on this list for you. Invest in your professional growth today with these exceptional reads. Happy teaching!

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How Small Are We…

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark.
Carl Sagan

The new school year rapidly approaches. We all have big plans. So do our students. Ultimately, our big plans just aren’t that big on the grand scale of the universe.

Remember, all we have is each other. We are on this journey together, all of us. And all we have to carry us through the day is the love of family and friends.

Enjoy this new school year, and keep in mind what really matters.

Accessing Education: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Online Learning

group of people standing indoors — Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

A recently published paper explores the challenges and opportunities for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in online and hybrid learning. The study found that online and hybrid learning both supports and presents challenges to EDI, and that pedagogy and course design must be considered as a first step in addressing some of the challenges to EDI.

The study also found that further student support is needed to facilitate equity, diversity, and inclusion in online learning.

Overall, the paper highlights the importance of addressing EDI in online and hybrid learning and offers several recommendations for doing so.

These recommendations include:

Prioritizing the implementation of policies that support equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Considering the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to ensure that course materials are accessible to all learners.
Providing training for instructors to use UDL principles to design and deliver courses that are inclusive and accessible to all learners.
Providing support for learners who face challenges related to access, such as those with learning differences and/or disabilities, or those who live in underserved, remote/rural communities.
Engaging with reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization as part of the pursuit of EDI goals.

UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes

Novak, Katie (Author)
English (Publication Language)
232 Pages – 05/29/2021 (Publication Date) – Impress (Publisher)

The paper also highlights the need for further student support to facilitate equity, diversity, and inclusion in online learning, and encourages readers to engage with reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization as part of the pursuit of EDI goals.

3 Pillars of High-quality Blended Learning

group of people sitting on chair in front of wooden table inside white painted room — Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Catlin Tucker continues to lead the way in blended learning. Her most recent post outlines the three pillars of high-quality blended learning.

Tucker describes the three pillars of successful blended learning are student agency, differentiation, and control over the learning pace. Student agency involves giving students meaningful choices in their learning process, such as content-based choices on subjects or topics and process-based decisions on learning approaches or resources, fostering a sense of responsibility and engagement.

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The Complete Guide to Blended Learning: Activating Agency, Differentiation, Community, and Inquiry for Students (Essential guide to strategies and … student learning in blended environments)

Catlin R. Tucker (Author)
English (Publication Language)
232 Pages – 07/05/2022 (Publication Date) – Solution Tree Press (Publisher)

Differentiation, the second pillar, requires adjusting teaching methods to address each student’s unique needs and abilities. This could involve varying assignments based on proficiency levels or providing structured guides for students who need additional support. The final pillar is student control over the pace of learning. Misalignment between the pace of learning and the learner’s needs can lead to disengagement or distraction; therefore, granting students autonomy over the speed at which they learn enhances engagement and success. By integrating these pillars, educators can create robust blended learning environments, enhancing student engagement and improving educational outcomes.

Top 10 Books for Teachers to Kickstart the New School Year

photo of person holding a book — Photo by Enzo Muñoz on Pexels.com

As the new school year begins, it’s essential for teachers to equip themselves with the right tools to navigate the challenges ahead. Among these tools, books can be a great source of inspiration, guidance, and self-care. Here are ten books that every teacher should consider reading as they embark on a new academic year.

The Happy Teacher Habits: 11 Habits of the Happiest, Most Effective Teachers on Earth by Michael Linsin

This book provides practical strategies for teachers to maintain positivity and effectiveness in the classroom. Linsin emphasizes the importance of habits in shaping our lives and offers insights on how to develop habits that lead to happiness and success in teaching.

The Happy Teacher Habits: 11 Habits of the Happiest, Most Effective Teachers on Earth

Linsin, Michael (Author)
English (Publication Language)
144 Pages – 04/30/2016 (Publication Date) – JME Publishing (Publisher)

Quote: “Happiness isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s a choice. It’s a decision you make every morning, that you’re going to have a good day.”

Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56 by Rafe Esquith

Esquith shares his innovative teaching methods and the extraordinary results they have yielded in his classroom. His passion for teaching and advocating for his students is infectious.

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Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire: The Methods and Madness Inside Room 56

Esquith, Rafe (Author)
English (Publication Language)
243 Pages – 12/18/2007 (Publication Date) – Penguin Books (Publisher)

Quote: “Real success is when a teacher is able to work under the hardest conditions and still turn out to be a great person. That’s real success.”

The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter–One Month at a Time by Jennifer Ashton, M.D.

This book is a must-read for teachers who want to prioritize their health and well-being. Dr. Ashton provides a month-by-month guide to self-care that includes diet, exercise, and mental health strategies.

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The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter–One Month at a Time

Ashton M.D., Jennifer (Author)
English (Publication Language)
320 Pages – 12/28/2021 (Publication Date) – William Morrow Paperbacks (Publisher)

Quote: “Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

The Power of a Positive Team: Proven Principles and Practices that Make Great Teams Great by Jon Gordon

Gordon’s book is a guide to maintaining positivity and unity within a team, making it a great read for teachers who want to foster a positive learning environment.

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The Power of a Positive Team: Proven Principles and Practices that Make Great Teams Great (Jon Gordon)

Hardcover Book
Gordon, Jon (Author)
English (Publication Language)
176 Pages – 06/13/2018 (Publication Date) – Wiley (Publisher)

Quote: “A positive team is not just about being connected to each other. It’s about being committed to each other.”

Educated by Design: Designing the Space to Experiment, Explore, and Extract Your Creative Potential by Michael Cohen

This book encourages teachers to advocate for creativity in the classroom. Cohen provides a roadmap for designing a creative space that encourages students to explore their potential.

Educated by Design: Designing the Space to Experiment, Explore, and Extract Your Creative Potential

Amazon Kindle Edition
Cohen, Michael (Author)
English (Publication Language)
248 Pages – 12/31/2018 (Publication Date) – Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated (Publisher)

Quote: “Creativity is not just about making ‘stuff’, it’s more importantly about developing a creative thinking mindset.”

The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life by Parker J. Palmer

Palmer’s book delves into the heart of the teaching profession, exploring the inner lives of educators. It’s a powerful read for teachers seeking to reconnect with their passion for the profession.

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The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s Life, 20th Anniversary Edition

Hardcover Book
Palmer, Parker J. (Author)
English (Publication Language)
288 Pages – 09/05/2017 (Publication Date) – Jossey-Bass (Publisher)

Quote: “Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher.”

Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness In and Out of the Classroom by Meena Srinivasan

Srinivasan offers insights into how mindfulness can help teachers manage stress and foster a peaceful classroom. It’s a practical guide for teachers seeking to achieve work-life balance.

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Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness in and out of the Classroom

Srinivasan, Meena (Author)
English (Publication Language)
224 Pages – 08/10/2014 (Publication Date) – Parallax Press (Publisher)

Quote: “When we cultivate our own mindfulness, we’re actually benefiting our students indirectly because we’re modeling what it looks like to be present.”

The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again by Chase Mielke

Mielke’s book is a lifeline for teachers feeling the strain of burnout. It provides strategies for maintaining enthusiasm for teaching and advocating for the profession.

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The Burnout Cure: Learning to Love Teaching Again

Mielke, Chase (Author)
English (Publication Language)
230 Pages – 03/19/2019 (Publication Date) – ASCD (Publisher)

Quote: “We can’t control the kids or the content or the new initiatives or the old initiatives, but we can control how we think and feel about them.”

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller

Miller’s book is a testament to the power of reading and the impact a passionate teacher can have on their students. It’s a must-read for teachers who want to inspire a love of reading in their students.

by Donalyn Millerand – The Book Whisperer: Awakening The Inner Reader in Every Child (Paperback) Jossey-Bass; 1 Edition (March 16, 2009) – [Bargain Books]

English (Publication Language)

Quote: “There is no program, no method, no teacher who can create readers. What we can do is provide the conditions that allow reading to happen.”

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

Brown’s book explores the concept of vulnerability and how it can lead to greater connection and a more fulfilling life. It’s a powerful read for teachers who want to foster deeper connections with their students and colleagues.

Sale

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

Audible Audiobook
Brené Brown (Author) – Brené Brown (Narrator)
English (Publication Language)
06/26/2018 (Publication Date) – Penguin Audio (Publisher)

Quote: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”

Each of these books offers unique insights into the teaching profession, self-care, and maintaining a positive attitude. As you prepare for the new school year, consider adding these books to your reading list. They may provide just the inspiration you need to make this year your best yet.

Larry Cuban on the “F” Word

depressed woman having headache and stress — Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

No, not that “F” word.

Larry Cuban shared his thoughts on leveraging failure as a valuable step in the learning process, something I’ve tried to convey to teachers and students over the years.

Cuban begins by recounting his career journey, which spans from his start as a high school teacher in 1955 to his time as a district superintendent and later as a professor at Stanford. He emphasizes that his career, while marked by many successes, was also filled with failures, which he believes are often overlooked in discussions about career progression.

Cuban writes, “While on the surface my long career as an educator appears as an unvarnished success albeit a modest one, it was a zig-zag path with cul-de-sacs and, truth be told, a road pitted with potholes of failure.” He argues that failures are an integral part of success and that society’s tendency to avoid discussing failures does a disservice to the reality of most people’s career trajectories.

He shares several instances of his own failures, including being rejected for teaching positions, struggling to connect with certain students, failing to reduce racial tensions in a department he administered, and being turned down for numerous superintendent posts and a deanship at Stanford’s School of Education. He also discusses his failures in getting published, with many of his submissions being rejected by publishers and editors.

Cuban emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from failures. He quotes several famous figures to illustrate his point, including basketball star Michael Jordan, Winston Churchill, and Maya Angelou. He writes, “Defeats were doors that closed in my face. Yet other doors opened.” He explains that failures can lead to new opportunities and that persistence in the face of failure can lead to eventual success.

In conclusion, Cuban states, “Looking back at my career and the mix of success and failure make clear to me how complex the interaction between winning and losing is.” He underscores the importance of adopting a growth mindset and learning from failure, making it clear that success and failure are integral parts of any career journey.

Is ChatGPT’s Output Degrading?

photo of a cracked surface — Photo by Tóth Viktor on Pexels.com

A recent study from Stanford University and UC Berkeley has found that the behavior of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has “drifted substantially” over time, but this does not necessarily indicate a degradation of capabilities. The researchers tested two versions of GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on tasks such as math problems, answering sensitive questions, code generation, and visual reasoning. They found significant changes in performance between the March and June 2023 versions of these models. For instance, GPT-4’s accuracy in solving math problems dropped from 97.6% to 2.4%, while GPT-3.5’s accuracy increased from 7.4% to 86.8%.

The study’s findings highlight the risks of building applications on top of black-box AI systems like ChatGPT, which could produce inconsistent or unpredictable results over time. The researchers recommend continuous evaluation and assessment of LLMs in production applications and call for more transparency in the data and methods used to train and fine-tune these models. However, some experts argue that the media has misinterpreted the paper’s results as confirmation that GPT-4 has gotten worse, stating that the changes in behavior do not necessarily indicate a degradation in capability.

Barack Obama’s Summer 2023 Reading List

Y’all already know I’m a big fan of reading lists (I publish my own every month), and whenever former president Barack Obama shares his, I pay attention.

Here’s the full list:

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond.
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane.
King: A Life by Jonathan Eig.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby.
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton.
What Napoleon Could Not Do by DK Nnuro.
The Wager by David Grann.
Blue Hour by Tiffany Clarke Harrison.

Several of these books were already on my TBR (thankfully) and I’ve added the rest and will hopefully get to them all before the end of the year.

Right now, I’m starting Will Wight’s Cradle series and have American Prometheus on deck. What are you reading right now?

Anything You Want it to Be

Make your life what you want.

Gamified e-learning platform Kahoot gets acquired in a $1.7B deal led by Goldman Sachs, Lego, and more

Kahoot, the Oslo-based startup known for its gamified e-learning platform, is set to go fully private in an all-cash private equity deal led by Goldman Sachs Assets Management, valuing the company at $1.7 billion. The deal also includes existing Kahoot backers General Atlantic, LEGO Group’s KIRKBI Invest A/S, and Glitrafjord, controlled by Kahoot CEO Eilert Hanoa, among others. Despite the premium on Kahoot’s publicly traded shares, the valuation is a step down from the company’s peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the struggles tech companies face in the current economic climate.

Kahoot has seen significant growth due to the rise of remote learning, hosting hundreds of millions of learning sessions with 9 billion participants in over 200 countries. However, like many tech businesses, it has struggled in the public markets post-pandemic. The company’s Q2 financials showed $41 million in revenues, up just 14% on last year, and cash equivalents of $96 million by the end of the second quarter. Despite not being at its peak valuation, the private equity group believes in the long-term opportunity of Kahoot.

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