I try to read one professional development book each semester. I often get these books from the library – and then recommend them – but can’t pass them out. I am going to make an effort here to review the ones that are worth it – and also going to start purchasing a copy so that I can pass it on. I really wouldn’t be the teacher I am today with out “standing on the shoulders of giants”. I will update as I find more. My favorites are at the top, and you can read my full review by clicking on the book cover 🙂

This book was one of those “before and after” books for me. I read it when I was working with a community that struggled with a lot of generational poverty but it has helped me understand differences in wealth, culture and just be way more empathetic to anyone who didn’t grow up in the same framework as I. A must read and must own book for any educator – in my opinion.

by Ruby K. Payne

This book I applied perhaps more as a parent than as a teacher. Anyone who has a role in raising a person of a different gender should read it. Even while recognizing the truth of gender fluidity there are hormonal and brain structure differences between XX and XY chromosomes. In this book Dr. Sax uses science and his own personal experience as a pediatrician to explain how those differences affect classrooms, discipline and risky behavior. He speaks very frankly about some of the really risky behaviour that kids can get involved in and I have always relied on that context.

by Marilee Sprenger

This intro guide to brain based teaching is great if you don’t know a lot about the subject and just want to get started quickly. If you’ve done a lot of reading on the subject already you won’t find too much that is new.

Pros: Easy to read and really practical. Hundreds of usable suggestions. Includes stories to illustrate the strategies.

Cons: Pretty “surface” in the content. Does include reverences to sources if you want to dig deeper.

Overall: 3.5/5