The summer months are primetime for relaxing–and catching up on the latest and greatest thinking on education. We asked our CKLA Educator Ambassadors to share what they were reading this summer for relaxation or for their own personal growth. They shared some excellent suggestions:

1. Teacherpreneurs: Innovative Teachers Who Lead But Don't Leave by Alan Wieder, Ann Byrd, and Barnett Berry
   “For PD coursework on teacher leadership”
   –Mandy H., Second Grade Teacher in Colorado
2. It Happens in the Hallway: Impacting School Climate Beyond the Classroom by Mark Johnson and Sam Stecher
   “I saw Sam and Mark speak. They do a great job with simple steps you can take to improve school and classroom culture.”
   –Mandy H., Second Grade Teacher in Colorado
3. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
4. Troublemakers: Lessons in Freedom from Young Children at School by Carla Shalaby
5. Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns by Clayton M. Christensen, Curtis W. Johnson, and Michael B. Horn
6. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
7. Teach Like a Pirate: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator by Dave Burgess
8. Kids Deserve It! Pushing Boundaries and Challenging Conventional Thinking by Adam Welcome and Todd Nesloney
9. Teach Like Finland: 33 Simple Strategies for Joyful Classrooms by Timothy D. Walker
   “I was attracted to this book because it prioritizes the joy in the learning process.”
   –Sarah H., Kindergarten Teacher in Florida
10. What School Could Be: Insights and Inspiration from Teachers across America by Ted Dintersmith
11. Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution by Peter Kalmus
12. Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
    “I chose this book with my Book Club group, we were looking for a book that was heartwarming, with some humor, and where the characters come to life. This author writes many books with sentimental value included in his writing.”
    –Laura P., Second Grade Teacher in Florida
13. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
    “The author's writing always takes you on a journey and creates magical stories in a spiritual nature but not to heavy.”
    –Laura P., Second Grade Teacher in Florida
14. Burn Zones by Jorge P. Newbery
15. The Wild Card: 7 Steps to an Educators Breakthrough by Wade and Hope King
    “This is my teacher inspiration pick for my summer reading. I chose this book to read at end the of the summer to help kick me back into the school year and take my teaching to the next level.”
    –Laura P., Second Grade Teacher in Florida
16. The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
17. The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros
18. Be the One for Kids: You Have the Power to Change the Life of a Child by Ryan Sheehy
19. The Growth Mindset Coach: A Teacher's Month-by-Month Handbook for Empowering Students to Achieve by Annie Brock and Heather Hundley
20. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
21. Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
22. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
23. Kids 1st from Day 1: A Teacher's Guide to Today's Classroom by Christine Hertz and Kristine Mraz
24. Culturize: Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes by Jimmy Casas
    “My bookshelf includes a mix of mostly educational and a few non-educational things that interest me!”
    –Jessica M., Kindergarten Teacher in Colorado
25. The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading and The Guided Reading Teacher's Companion by Jan Richardson
    "I am all about guided reading in the classroom and I love learning new ways to expand my students' learning experience. The best person to turn to for ideas in this area is Jan Richardson."
    –Jinnie D., Kindergarten Teacher in Florida

Happy Reading!