Today’s our last day of school for students! This day holds a different meaning for me now that I am an administrator. I will miss the chatter of little voices in the hallways, classrooms, cafeteria, and playground, and requests to come inside and shoot hoops in my office! I know students and teachers will enjoy and hopefully refresh over the next few weeks, hoping to return to school energized and ready to jump headfirst into learning for the 2010-2011 school year!
One of the most meaningful ways to spend the “downtimes” of summer is to read! I love being able to catch up on both professional and personal reading selections during these months. Read on the back porch, in the car, in the airport, on the beach… anywhere and everywhere! Here is a short list of some of my “must-reads” for this summer:
Professional reads:
Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World, Heidi Hayes Jacobs
I’ve had this book for a month or two after ASCD delivered it to my door… will definitely utilize this in my technology integrator role this summer!
What Great Teachers Do Differently and What Great Principals Do Differently, Todd Whitaker
What more could you want to know? As someone who always seeks to bring change to an organization for the betterment of students, I am eager to learn more about how I can do things differently, and encourage my staff to do the same, to foster school improvement efforts.
Getting to Yes, Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, Bruce Patton
Have this on CD, should make the commute to work more intriguing. Believe it or not, in my role as principal I do encounter confrontations and need to negotiate solutions to problems at times!
Teaching as a Subversive Activity, Neil Postman & Charles Weingartner
I began this over the winter and was captivated by how relevant this read is today. Must finish!
Personal Reads
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney
This book cracks me up. I’ve read about four chapters and laughed out loud at the voice of Kinney’s middle school character shine through. The accompanying illustrations are amusing as well and help tell the story!
Eclipse, by Stephanie Meyer (book 3 of the Twilight Saga)
Have to reread before the June 30 movie release!
The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein
Came recommended to me.
Be More Chill, by Ned Vizzini
I love Vizzini. It’s Kind of a Funny Story was one of my absolute favorite reads last summer, so I’m checking out this selection.
The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan
My media specialist purchased a copy of this for me to enjoy this summer! Excited to read what our students enjoy!
I know there are so many more fabulous stories and resources out there… what is on your reading list? Post your suggestions here! Happy Summer!
This is a great list. I recently read “What Great Principals Do Differently” and it is an exceptional book and a quick read. I was inspired by some of the suggestions Whitaker made for leading teachers. He reiterated that the teacher is the primary variable that determines student success. He also noted characteristics of good teachers, one of which is always looking to learn and improve. There are two ways he suggested for a principal to improve the school: Hire better teachers and help the teachers you have to improve.