Top Books for Educators

This is the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book! For educators, it’s especially important to read up on teaching trends, classroom innovations, and both the history and future of education. After all, the more we know about these important topics, the more beneficial it will be for our students.

Here are our picks for the top 20 books educators won’t want to miss:

1. Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown: Any learner at any age can benefit from this read, which offers a variety of techniques for becoming a more productive learner. Beneficial for both educators and students alike!
   
   
2. Seven Myths About Education by Daisy Christodoulou: In this book, author Christodoulou examines seven widely held beliefs about education which she believes are holding back both students and teachers. She builds a powerful case for why each of these classroom practices should be reexamined—worth a read for any educator.
   
   
3. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai: An outspoken activist for the right of all children—especially girls—to receive an education, Malala became the youngest recipient of a Nobel Prize when she won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. Her memoir details her incredible journey as she fought for her own right to an education, which included a murder attempt by the Taliban.
   
   
4. World Class Learners by Yong Zhao: Are your students prepared to succeed in a global economy? This insightful read is full of advice for educators so they can champion inventive learners, cultivate independent thinkers, and help students harness the entrepreneurial spirit.
   
   
5. Teachers and Machines by Larry Cuban: First published in 1986 by Stanford professor Cuban, this book offers a fascinating timeline of the history of classroom technology and all the ways its used. There’s also a focus on how educators can offer equal access to EdTech, ensuring all students have the edge they need to get ahead.
   
   
6. What School Could Be by Ted Dintersmith: In a trip across the country to all 50 states, innovation expert Dintersmith set out to raise awareness about reimagining education to prepare students for the future job market. Instead, he found teachers in ordinary settings implementing small changes to have an extraordinary impact on their students.
   
   
7. I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz: It all started with a simple prompt to Schwartz’s students to fill in the blank in this sentence: “I wish my teacher knew _____.” The eye-opening results led Schwartz to share her experience online, and #IWishMyTeacherKnew became a worldwide phenomenon on social media.
   
   
8. Your First Year by Todd Whitaker: A must-read for newbie teachers, this book offers advice, inspiration, and step-by-step guidance to help make that crucial first year of teaching a success.
   
   
9. Happy Teachers Change the World by Thich Nhat Hanh and Katherine Weare: This book has something to offer anyone who works with students—regardless of grade level, subject, or role. These techniques and best practices help with mindfulness, offering easy-to-follow methods to apply when dealing with both students and colleagues.
   
   
10. Teacher’s Field Guide by Kerry Hemms: When you consider how many new teachers leave the profession within the first five years (50%!), it's apparent that something needs to be done. This book offers tips, tools, and strategies to help with stress and teacher burnout while increasing the joy in teaching.
    
    
11. Culturize by Jimmy Casas: In this book, author and education leader Casas argues that average schools don't inspire greatness. He shares his insights into how educators can spark greatness in their students in order to produce tomorrow's world-changing leaders.
    
    
12. Building Powerful Learning Environments by Arina Bokas: Does a learning environment only exist within the confines of the school building? This book looks into the ways the learning environment can be expanded to include families, communities, and other institutions to create a culture of partnerships.
    
    
13. The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller: With her inspiring love of books and teaching, author Miller has yet to meet a student who comes to her 6th grade classroom that she couldn't turn into a reader. She removes the traditional approaches that make reading a chore and allows students to pick out their own books so they can learn to love reading.
    
    
14. Embedded Formative Assessment by Dylan Wiliam: Formative assessment helps educators increase student engagement as well as the rate of student learning. In this book, author Wiliam presents strategies teachers can immediately apply, including examples and templates to help empower students.
    
    
15. The Hidden Lives of Learners by Graham Nuthall: Looking for a better understanding of classroom learning? Check out this book, which delves into the three worlds that shape a student's learning: the public world of the teacher, the influential world of peers, and the student's own private world and experiences.
    
    
16. Ignite the Light by Vicki Savini: With the mounting pressures facing today's students, kids hardly get to enjoy their childhood anymore. Ideal for educators and parents alike, this practical step-by-step manual offers the tools to help educate, enlighten, and empower children to believe in themselves.
    
    
17. Why Knowledge Matters by E. D. Hirsch, Jr.: This book focuses on six persistent problems of US education, drawing on recent findings in neuroscience to support the author's arguments for education reform. Hirsch advocates for updated policies based on evidence from the United States and other nations.
    
    
18. Urban Myths About Learning and Education by by Pedro De Bruyckere, Paul A. Kirschner, and Casper D. Hulshof: Each chapter in this interesting read examines a different learning myth that's commonly believed to be true about education—despite not being supported by scientific evidence. Separating fact from fiction, this book debunks popular education myths such as boys being naturally better at math than girls, we only use 10% of our brains, and babies being smarter if they listen to classical music.
    
    
19. Why Don't Students Like School? by Daniel T. Willingham: Looking for new ways to engage your students? The scientifically based approaches in this book are easy to apply, helping teachers improve their practices by explaining how they—and their students—think and learn.
    
    
20. Mindset by Carol S. Dweck: This book focuses on the simple idea that people with a fixed mindset are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset. Author Dweck reveals how great parents and educators can put this idea to use to foster outstanding accomplishment in students.

Hopefully this list inspires you to pick up a book and get reading! Do you have a book you’d recommend to fellow educators? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’d like to connect with other teachers online to discuss lesson plans, get inspiration, and share teaching tips, consider joining MimioConnect™, our interactive educator community.