It is almost the end, and you can already feel it. The academic year is over; students and staff no longer feel like working. It is warm outside, and everyone rightfully longs for the summer break.
Yes, summer vacations are perfect for switching off, cutting from work, and feeling like a human again, not a marking machine anymore. But what if you used some time to reinvent yourself as a teacher?
With only 20 minutes a day, you could read through the 3 best books all teachers should read in 2023.
From finding your passion with Ken Robinson’s “The Element” to embracing the power of mindset with Carol S. Dweck’s “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” and transforming your teaching techniques with Doug Lemov’s “Teach Like a Champion,” these books offer incredible insights and practical strategies to help you become the best teacher you can be.
Don’t wait anymore; grab an iced latte, find a spot under the sun, and dive into these 3 must-read books for teachers!
1- Why Every Teacher Should Read “The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything.”
Have you seen the Ted Talk called “Do Schools Kill Creativity?” It is the all-time most-viewed TeldTalk on Youtube, with 75 million views. If so, you are already familiar with Ken Robinson’s work and ready to plunge into his book “The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything.”
In this book, Ken Robinson invites all educators to identify what drives them and what they are passionate about. He calls it: The Element (it sounds like the title of a novel by Paulo Coehlo, but don’t go away, there is more to it).
Finding your Element is essential to be happy because it sits at the intersection of talent and passion.
The current educational system is based on reasoning and logic, but human intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinctive. This is why teachers must nurture and develop their capacity for creativity and their students’.
To find your Element, you must be in the “zone,” which means stepping away from the fear of failure, family judgment, and social pressure, and it will inevitably lead you to find your “tribe,” like-minded people who will support you and follow you in your quest.
However, the book will not tell you how to find your Element; it is not a how-to guide. Instead, it relies on the experience of many people who have found their passion. It is an inspirational read, and Ken Robinson, with a mirthful voice, is a great storyteller who will make you feel you are having a casual discussion with him.
2- Why Every Teacher Should Read “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.”
Picture this: you’re in your classroom, watching students tackle a challenging task. Some dive right in, embracing the challenge enthusiastically, while others shrink back, afraid to make a mistake. Have you ever wondered why some students seem to have unshakable confidence while others struggle with self-doubt? Well, it all comes down to their mindset.
In “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,” Carol S. Dweck tells us everything about fixed and growth mindsets.
Do you believe that some people are born talented and others are not? Do you feel that you have hit a plateau and there is nothing more to it? Then you might have a fixed mindset.
But worry not, for those mindsets are not permanent, and we
Get ready to turn failure into success, laugh, and learn from your mistakes because our mindset is the key to success.
Be aware of both mindsets in you and your students and nurture the growth one.
3- Why Every Teacher Should Read “Teach Like A Champion.”
After a couple of years, teaching becomes natural. Teachers become experts in their subjects, and year after year, it becomes easier. You don’t need to plan anymore. No need to look for resources; it is all there. You simply pop into the classroom with your printouts and recite your lines.
“Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on the Path to College” by Doug Lemov” is a wake-up call and a reminder. This one is a how-to guide, unlike the previous two books.
If you want to enter a classroom buzzing with excitement, with engaged students actively participating, read this book and revolutionize your teaching with a transformative journey.
The book breaks down teaching into practical and actionable techniques, which is why it is so enticing. You don’t have to read it from beginning to end in one shot. You could pick one technique a day and apply them as you read.
With the many stories and anecdotes, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud and taking notes as you flip through the pages.
My 3 favourite teaching techniques:
Teaching Technique 1:
No Opt Out. Teachers with high expectations don’t accept “I don’t know,” but expect students to be engaged and “give it a shot.”
Teaching Technique 4:
Format Matters. High expectations also means only accepting students answers in complete sentence with good grammar.
Teaching Technique 5:
No Apologies. Teachers with high expectations don’t apologize for what they teach. No more “Sorry I have to teach you Shakespeare.”
Takeaways
With only 20 minutes a day, you can kill two birds with one stone:
- Get a nice tan and
- complete enjoyable CPD training that will help you unleash your passion, nurture a growth mindset and reinvent your teaching techniques.
Wait no more and order these three books to start reading as soon as you leave school, and let the magic of the words prepare you for the next academic year.
These three books will take you on the road to becoming a better teacher, and the great thing is by reading them, you are already showing that you have a growth mindset.
If you are looking for more ideas about improving your teaching skills, pop the corn and pick your favorite drink to watch “To Sir With Love.” It is a beautiful movie that will remind you why you are into teaching, but it is also a full CPD training. Beware, you might shed a tear at the end of the movie.
You should also take a look at the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teachers, inspired by the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to level up your teaching game.
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