What
Have You Read Lately?
Theresa
London Cooper
“Every
exemplary teacher I know reads a lot. It’s not that these
teachers have more time than the rest of us; they just make reading
a priority because it’s how they enrich their lives and
continue to grow as a teacher and a learner.”
Regie Routman
Reading is an essential practice that keeps us informed regarding
best practice. It is a behavior that serves many purposes in our
professional and personal lives. It deepens our understanding of
important concepts, and broadens our way of thinking as we address
the myriad needs of our students and school-related concerns in
our classrooms and regions. It builds our content knowledge. Reading
lays the foundation for provocative professional conversations and
supports self –reflection as well as the development of informed
opinions regarding educational issues.
On a personal level, it calms us down and feeds our passion for
life as it gives us the energy to pursue our interest and hobbies.
To that end, I would like to share a short list of some of the books
I have read that supported and enriched my professional and personal
life. Happy reading!
The Energy to Teach
by Donald H. Graves
Graves encourages the reader to think about the many ways we can
increase our energy to teach and live productively. The book helps
us identify ways to boost our energy and minimize those activities
that drain it. He does a wonderful job providing examples that can
be useful in our daily lives.
Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains
the Courage to Teach
by Sam M. Intrator & Megan Scribner (editors)
Teachers write about the impact of selected poems (by the likes
of Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Langston Hughes) on their professional
lives, showing how poetry can keep teachers highly engaged. A testament
to the power of words.
The Power of Full Engagement : Managing
Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to Performance and Personal Renewal
by Jim Loer and Tony Schwartz
As educators we often talk about time being the culprit preventing
us from doing all the things we must do. The authors of this book
maintain a different opinion; they claim energy is the culprit.
If you are seeking balance in your life, this book is for you.
The Passionate Teacher: A Practical
Guide by Robert L. Fried
One of my favorites. A thought-provoking book that would serve
well in a reading circle comprised of teachers. It describes the
role, thoughts and behavior of passionate teachers. It is indeed
a book that will give you pause and help you reflect on your practice.
Are you part of the problem or the solution? Read this book and
decide.
The Tipping Point
by Malcolm Gladwell
The national bestseller that addresses the intriguing idea of social
epidemics and how they occur. It is an unusual book that engages
the reader in the notions of influence and how it happens.
The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
Do you ever find yourself just going through the motions, aimless,
without a purpose? Warren shares with us his belief regarding the
purpose of all mankind. He addresses the spiritual aspect of our
lives as well as the daily dilemmas we encounter and strive to overcome.
It is a book that will definitely get you thinking about the reason
you exist.
Though I wouldn't consider any of the
above "light" summer reading, you just
might find picking up one or two or all of them to be just thing
to inspire you as teacher.
See also my article Read! Read!
Read!
Do you
have a comment or question about this article? E-mail
Theresa.
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