Top Summer Reads for Independent School Faculty

Note from the Association:  ​Alison Easterling, Head of Upper School at Noble and Greenough School, and Association for Academic Leaders member, posted a query about summer reading on the Academic-Leaders’ listserv. She got generous feedback from other Association members about what they were reading and then did some research about the titles suggested and posted back to the community. We were so impressed that we asked her to write a blog post for our community and Alison graciously agreed. 

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Alison Easterling
Head of Upper School
Noble and Greenough School

As summer approaches, it's the perfect time for educators to indulge in some professional reading that can inspire and rejuvenate them for the coming school year. Recently, I reached out to our community on the Association for Academic Leaders listserv to find out what books are being considered for faculty summer reading. The response was overwhelming, with many of you sharing your thoughtfully curated lists. Thank you all for your generosity and willingness to contribute!

​Interestingly, many schools are now offering a range of books, podcasts, and even television shows for faculty to choose from, rather than assigning a single book for everyone. This approach allows for more personalized and relevant professional development.

Here are some of the most frequently recommended books that stood out across multiple lists:

• The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour
  • Why Read It? This book was the most frequently listed among the recommendations. Lisa Damour offers an in-depth look at the emotional world of teenagers, providing practical advice for supporting their mental health and emotional well-being. Given the unique challenges teenagers face today, this book is an invaluable resource for any educator. BONUS the Association offers an asynchronous online course designed by Brad Rathgeber and Lisa Damour over the summer for members reading the book, and the course culminates with a live Q&A with Dr. Damour that is exclusively for course participants. 
    
    
• Future Tense: Why Anxiety is Good For You (Even Though It Feels Bad) by Tracy Dennis-Tiwary
  • Why Read It? Anxiety is often seen as a negative emotion, but Dennis-Tiwary argues that it can actually be beneficial. This book explores how anxiety can serve as a motivator and a tool for personal growth, offering a fresh perspective that can help educators better support anxious students. 
    
    
• Think Again by Adam Grant
  • Why Read It? In a world that is constantly changing, the ability to rethink and unlearn is crucial. Adam Grant's book encourages readers to question their assumptions and embrace the joy of being wrong. This is particularly relevant for educators who are guiding students through an ever-evolving landscape of knowledge, and for this time of polarization when it can feel so hard to talk across difference. The intellectual humility that Grant’s book recommends feels important. 
    
    
• Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain by Zaretta Hammond
  • Why Read It? Hammond's book is an essential read for educators committed to equity and inclusion. It combines insights from neuroscience with practical teaching strategies to help educators understand and implement culturally responsive teaching practices. 
    
    
• In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School by Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine
  • Why Read It? This book dives into the complexities of the American high school system and seeks to identify what truly constitutes deep learning. Mehta and Fine provide a thoughtful analysis of current educational practices and offer a vision for more meaningful and engaging high school experiences. It’s a moving and inspiring account of their own journeys through many different schools and what they found. 
    
    
• Drive: The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
  • Why Read It? Understanding what motivates students is key to fostering their success. Daniel Pink's book challenges traditional notions of motivation and offers insights about the importance of intrinsic motivation for students–they will do things that matter to them. This book can help educators create more motivating and inspiring classroom environments.
    
    
• Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic—and What We Can Do About It by Jennifer Breheny Wallace
  • Why Read It? This book addresses the high-pressure achievement culture that pervades many schools today. Wallace provides insights into how this culture can become toxic and offers practical strategies for fostering a healthier, more balanced environment for both students and educators. It's an inspiring read for people looking to understand and mitigate the pressures faced by students.
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• The War for Kindness by Jamil Zaki
  • Why Read It? Empathy is a crucial skill for educators, and Jamil Zaki's book explores how it can be cultivated. In a time when kindness and understanding are more important than ever, this book offers evidence-based strategies for building empathy within school communities.

Other contributions I wanted to include in this post:

• I was intrigued by Alex Spencer's (Upper School Director, Kinkaid School) "mixed tape" model that prioritized podcasts. Good for summer road trips!
• There was a question from Tara Eppinger of Durham Academy embedded in the discussion asking about how our schools use faculty/staff summer reads when school resumes in the fall. I hope we can get another exchange going on that topic.

As you plan your summer reading, consider picking up one (or more) of these insightful books. They offer valuable perspectives and practical strategies that can enhance your professional growth and positively impact your school community. Happy reading!