“Our world needs people who can think differently, solve problems, and thrive in a constantly changing and unpredictable society.” I shared this message that is in the intro of Learner-Centered Innovation as many people have heard this statement but now the realization of WHY it matters is much clearer.
I had the opportunity to virtually keynote the InnEdCo virtual summer conference this week. Each day was a new theme Reflect, Experience, Grow. Just like so many teachers, the plan that I had was no longer relevant for an in-person conference in a world that was very different just 3 months ago. Although I would have loved to connect with this amazing group in the Colorado mountains, it provided an opportunity for me to reflect on my own learning, prioritize the key lessons to identify the most impactful learning experiences and share my hopes for how we can grow as educators to create more inclusive learning environments.
Over the three days I shared examples and ideas from some of my favorite books that I have read lately, which have influenced me and my thinking. Here are 10 that I think will shift your thinking about life, learning, leadership and and the evolving role of the educator.
1. Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett
In Permission to Feel, Marc Brackett writes, “It is one of the great paradoxes of the human condition- we ask some variation of the question, “How are you feeling?” over and over, which would lead on to assume that we attach some importance to it yet we never expect or desire or provide an honest answer.” This book will help you be an emotional scientist instead of a judge. In a world where social and emotional learning is more important than ever, this book is helpful to identify discuss and deal with how we are feeling.
More of my thoughts here: Why you should care about how people feel
2. Innovate Inside the Box by George Couros + Katie Novak
The power of Innovate Inside the Box is that it combines the characteristics of the Innovator’s Mindset with UDL to help us cast a broader vision of success than test scores. This vision encompasses skills that are critical for learners to develop to thrive in our world today. George pushes us to see what is possible, while validating essential components of effective teaching and learning (like building relationships). He urges us to see all learners for the wondrous, capable, and unique individuals they are. Katie provides targeted strategies aligned to UDL principles to help us create learning experiences and environments that spark curiosity, ignite passion, and unleash genius.
More of my thoughts here: Learners Need Us to Innovate Inside the Box- The Innovator’s Mindset and UDL Can Help
3. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Shout out to all the cheetahs out there! If you haven’t read this book, please do. It’s sooo good. Untamed moved me in many ways as Glennon shared that, “ A woman becomes a responsible parent when she stops being an obedient daughter.” I thought a lot about my role as a mom and it also made me think about the role of educators. Instead of being obedient (or expecting teachers to be obedient), let’s understand that the best educators are most effective when they are responsive and adapt to the needs of their students to meet the desired outcomes, not when they blindly follow the curriculum and policies.
More of my thoughts here: Trusting Your Expertise as an Educator
4. WolfPack by Abby Wambach
As a soccer fan, I love Abby Wambach on the field and her book, Wolfpack, was just as amazing. There are great nuggets of wisdom and motivation but what resonated specifically is how the US Women’s team changed the game and how this resonates with what it will take to shift practices and policies in our schools. Abby writes,
“Their final game, played at the Rosebowl stadium in Pasadena, was attended by 90,000 people- the largest crowd ever to attend a women’s sporting event in history. It was also the most watched soccer game in the Us to date. Including any Men’s World Cup matches…. There were suddenly new rules to the game– written by those women– but only because a bunch of badass visionaries had the courage to break the old ones.”
5. Empower by A.J. Juliani and John Spencer
Empower is full of provocations, ideas, and graphics to push your thinking about what is possible in schools when students own their learning. This is one of my favorites.
6. How to be an AntiRacist by Ibram X Kendi
In How to Be an AntiRacist, Kendi describes the history of standardized tests and how they are designed to rank and sort people and pushes us to consider, “What if we realize the best way to ensure an effective education is not by standardizing curricula in a test but by standardizing the opportunities available to all students.”
As I read this book it helped to me see why it isn’t enough to not be racist and I am committed to do more to explicitly acknowledge and address bias and dismantle inequitable systems. It is crucial that we do this to create new and better ones for each and every student, especially those who have been the most marginalized in our schools. I continue to listen, reflect, learn, and do better.
7. What’s Your Problem? by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg
Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, the author of What’s Your Problem. He has inspired my thinking about how to reframe problems as he has done for companies around the world. In his book, he shares the following 5 tips that can help to reframe our current challenges and many other problems that we face.
- Examine the problem and see if there is a better way to frame it.
- Rethink the goals.
- Examine bright spots from other people or situations. Where is there success in other contexts?
- Look in the mirror. How might you be contributing to the problem?
- Empathize with people and see the problem from multiple perspectives.
More of my thoughts here: Are We Solving the Right Problems?
8. Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
I’m a huge fan of Brene Brown and this quote from Dare to Lead just sums up why we need to be vulnerable and lean into things that are hard and uncomfortable if we want to see a change in our schools. It has been so amazing to see the herculean effort made by educators in the last few months to meet learners where they are and try new things. It is hard, uncomfortable, and shows how amazing educators are.
9. Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond
Learner-centered practices are about knowing the learners and ensuring they are valued and seen for who they are. Culturally responsive pedagogy is a key component in knowing learners. This book is a great resource to reflect on the impact of your practices and learn how to better meet the needs of all learners.
10. Learner-Centered Leadership by Devin Vodicka
In a rapidly changing world, there is no greater need than to have leaders who can create the conditions for learning. I have the opportunity to work with Devin to support schools and districts around the country and this book is a great resource from his work in public education and details the transformation he led in Vista Unified as superintendent.
In Learner-Centered Leadership, Devin shares a blueprint for not only how to create a vision that everyone can buy into but how to build trust, relationships, and capacity to enable all learners to reach their full potential. This book is a must read for all educators committed to creating schools that unleash the potential of all individuals.
Creating a New Way Forward
Educators are working harder than ever, but I wonder if sometimes we are getting better at the wrong things. Our system was designed for a different era where standardization was the goal and, as a result, is not intended to develop the skills our students need to be successful today. Changing the education system can seem daunting if we focus on all the barriers, but then we must remind ourselves that it was designed by people. The Committee of 10 (in 1892) created the rules that reflected the values of the late 1800s and designed a system to prepare learners for an industrial era. Our world and our needs have changed, and will continue to, and the only way to change the system is through people who believe in themselves and our collective future enough to make the changes that are necessary today. That means you are part of the solution.
This is an excellent resource. Thank you so much for sharing!