3 Must-Read Books for Teachers

3 Must-Read Books for Teachers

With so many good choices out there, I wanted to narrow my list of must-read books for teachers down to just three. These three books share inspiration and insight on what we must do to move from an outdated, obsolete model of education to a model that is relevant to today’s learners while preparing them for their futures. The three authors are people who I look up to greatly and try to learn as much as I can from at every opportunity.

3 Must-Read Books for Teachers

Most Likely to Succeed: Preparing Our Kids for the Innovation Era

by Tony Wagner, Ted Dintersmith

This book needs to be read by everyone with an interest in education.   Drop the book you are currently reading and read this one now. Most Likely to Succeed makes abundantly clear how truly outdated our current model of education is, and offers a vision to transform our schools into places that prepare students for their futures.

Experiences, rather than short-term memorization, help students develop the skills and motivation that transforms lives.

The impact of innovation on education isn't in using technology to deliver obsolete education experiences." - Tony Wagner

Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education

by Ken Robinson Ph.D. and Lou Aronica

Creative Schools has all the power, charisma, and insight we have come to expect from Ken Robinson. As always, Robinson challenges us to critically assess why we do things as educators, and empowers educators to make meaningful changes.

Many schools are organized as they are because they always have been, not because they must be.

The book is really a manifesto for Sir Ken’s education revolution.

"Educating children by age group assumes that the most important thing they have in common is their date of manufacture." - Sir Ken Robinson

The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity

by George Couros

If you have never heard George Couros speak, you’re totally missing out. I mean that. I go out of my way to hear him speak every chance I get. George is a fierce challenger of the status quo, and one of the most powerful speakers I’ve seen. He’s both incrediblly compassionate and intensely pragmatic.

The Innovator’s Mindset is a roadmap for transforming our schools from irrelevant places of compliance and boredom to places of engagement, creativity, and empowerment.

Compliance does not foster innovation. In fact, demanding conformity does quite the opposite.

Couros makes it clear that if we want innovative students, we need innovative teachers. He also makes it clear that innovation is not about the latest and greatest technology: Innovation is a mindset.

"A tool that could change education for the better - a laptop, tablet, or interactive white board - too often ends up becoming the equivalent of a thousand-dollar pencil.' - George Couros

Everyone Has Time for Audio Books

I listened to both Creative Schools and Most Likely to Succeed to distract me from the tortuous task of jogging. Both books were so inspiring that I went back to buy the print versions too. Unfortunately The Innovator’s Mindset isn’t currently available in audio format, but the other two are. You can even download them for free. If you aren’t an Audible member, click the link below and download two books free just for trying Audible.
Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks


I only recommend products that I personally use or know their value, so you’re in good hands. Purchasing products through some of the links above may result in me receiving a couple of bucks. It helps offset the cost of hosting this site, but it’s certainly not enough to buy a pony. I do however appreciate your support!



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Nick LaFave

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2 Comments
Cynthia Spratley

Hey Nick,
I just finished listening to the Audible version of Innovator’s Mindset. So it must be there somewhere.
I loved it and so I am going through it a second time. So many nuggets of truth and wisdom about education system and how we need to change it one teacher at a time. 🙂 Thanks for always providing a challenge for us!

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