Ahh summer. It’s a time for us teachers to rejuvenate, reflect, take time off, and just relax!! And it’s almost here!! I know a lot of you are in the last few weeks of your school year, teaching from home in this COVID-19 global pandemic era. Which is why I wanted to send on this little suggested summer reading list now before you peace out for summer.
Most of us don’t have time to read in the middle of the school year. And I know that you want to be intentional about your summer break and really use it to rejuvenate your spirit and mind.
It’s important not to just read education books and catch up on our curriculum over the summer – although I know some of us like to do that too. But it’s really important to also work on your self – the parts of your personal development that get pushed to the back-burner during the busy school year months.
So now is the time to catch up on those books that make you really want to think, reflect, and change. BUT – we want them to be entertaining, motivating, inspiring, and encouraging – right?!
I hear ya!!
So – I’ve put together this little summer reading list for wholehearted teachers for you guys!
Summer Reads for Wholehearted Teachers
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Okay – this book is UH MAZE ING! Truly. Summary: Author Brene Brown discusses how vulnerability is the key to human connection. She debunks myths around vulnerability and gives readers practices to cultivate vulnerability and other aspects of wholehearted life.
I read this book for the third time this year – this time leading a book study on it – and I feel like I got even more out of it this time than I did the first two reads. This is one to keep and re-read whenever you need a wholehearted living boost.
Favorite Quote (It’s too hard to choose – but here is one that I loved that has truly become the cornerstone of my work through A Teacher’s Best Friend):
If we want our children to love and accept who they are, our job is to love and accept who we are.
The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You by Jessica N. Turner
The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You by Jessica N. Turner
The focus of this book is self-care – something we are really bad at as teachers (and as women in general!) We put ourselves last on the to-do list – but it’s short sided when we continue to empty our bucket without refilling it!!
The book opens with this quote:
“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” by Charles Bixton
We all know that we should make time for ourselves, but it’s so hard to actually do! Take some time to dig in and reflect on what keeps up from prioritizing ourselves and make some healthy habits you can continue into the school year!
The Pursuit of Perfect by Tal Ben-Shahar
Perfectionism is something a lot of us struggle with (myself included), and this book helps us to tackle it head on so we can stop chasing perfect and begin living a more present, happier life!
Let’s use this summer to reflect, learn, grow, and rejuvenate! Come share your thoughts on these books with me and other wholehearted teachers like you!
All my best,
Photo credit: Rosemary Watson
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