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Best Books for Teachers of Every Grade

Have a teacher that really made a difference? This upcoming semester, gift them one of the best books for teachers that rule.

By Cato ConroyPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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Teachers touch so many lives, and can often be the heroes that keep kids from ruining their futures. The right teacher can be the blessing kids need to become someone later in life, and that's why we need to celebrate them and the work they do.

If you have a teacher in your life who really helped you better your life, they might enjoy receiving a gift. Our suggestion? Grab one of the best books for teachers off store shelves, and give them the gift of a great read.

Does your teacher seem frazzled by the culture clash going on in the classroom? Chances are, they're not alone — and they may feel cornered. That's why Other People's Children is one of the best books for teachers of every grade: it's all about learning how to overcome cultural issues and actually connect with students on a serious level.

If you have a friend who's a teacher, and they aren't handling their work well, this book may be one of the best gifts you can give them.

If you have a teacher who really inspired you to make the world a better place, they might like The Freedom Writers Diary. This book shows how one teacher inspired hope and changed the lives of over 150 different students for the better using the power of writing.

The impact of this book alone makes it worth a read. It's a New York Times Bestseller and has been used to help teach new teachers how to make the difference they want to make in the lives of the kids who need it the most.

Roxanna Elden has a way with words, and boy does she know how to use it! This book highlights the many, many insane moments you'll have living the life of a school teacher — including many where, after all the craziness, all you can do is shake your head and laugh.

In between awesome classroom management tips and hilarious anecdotes, Elden leaves poignantly useful and brutally honest advice for people of all walks of life.

Most teachers can tell you that the first days of a child's school year will often have lasting implications. That's why First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wongis one of the best books for teachers that want to improve their students' attitudes on school.

In fact, a lot of educators believe that The First Days of School teaches everything new teachers need to know about setting up the classroom and working towards student success.

First Days of School is basically a new teacher's classroom management bible, and also works with almost any grade level imaginable. It's considered to be a major professional development book for any teacher, and that's why it's currently being used as a textbook in over 2,000 different colleges.

Paul Tough has seen it all in his teaching career, and he's also figured out what makes children succeed in the classroom. That's why he wrote How Children Succeed, and believe us when we say it's one of the best books for teachers who want to see their students have long-term success.

School teaches us to research, but it doesn't always teach us to succeed. Tough tells teachers to forget about lesson plans focused on standardized tests, and start worrying about building children's character more. Refreshing? Absolutely. That's why every teacher should read it and remember that scores aren't everything.

If you're an English teacher, a librarian, or just someone who's friends with a teacher who loves watching kids read, then you need to check out The Reading Zone. It's basically the key to loving language learning, reading, and everything else.

Nancie Atwell's hit book is all about getting students to enjoy reading, rather than make it into a dry, soulless endeavor. Needless to say, that's a task that's often easier said than done — at least, if you don't have the right advice on board.

The valuable advice inside these pages is why The Reading Zone is one of the best books for teachers who want their kids to enjoy learning, reading, and becoming a better person.

One day, Kyle Schwartz decided to let her kids have a "fill in the blank exercise." She wrote "I wish my teacher knew..." on a card, and let her entire third grade class fill in the blanks.

What she found out blew her mind, and became the basis of one of the most touching books you'll find on the subject of teaching. This is the story behind the hashtag that went viral, and will inspire the teacher in your life to learn more about the kids they teach.

Public schools and private schools alike are known for having teacher burnout as a major crisis, and the people who suffer the most from it aren't the teachers — it's the students who end up losing out on the guidance and care they need.

Today I Made a Difference is a collection of stories that show teachers who went the extra mile, and gives teachers feeling the urge to quit the inspiration they need to continue forward. That alone makes it one of the best books for teachers ever written, and one of the most important ones to read before you put in your two weeks' at school.

Room 56 is a public school classroom known for problem students, many of which may not even speak English. Despite the reputation, teacher Rafe Esquith managed to make things work and help kids learn the vital skills they need to succeed in the future.

Esquith managed to get these fifth graders to listen to Vivaldi, read Shakespeare, and sit quietly — and he did it all by turning them towards the wonder of learning. Rafe explains how he did it in his bestselling book, Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire.

You'll laugh, you'll learn, and you'll be inspired. That's why it's one of the best books for teachers in public schools that often feel like the chips are stacked against them.

Every teacher, old or new, will have that one student that doesn't ever grasp the material but can make a hilarious joke about it anyway. That's why F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers is one of the best book for teachers who need a comic relief.

This book is filled with real test answers from real students that will make teachers feel a lot better about their own kids. Humor is part of teaching, and that's why this book is so hilariously awesome.

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About the Creator

Cato Conroy

Cato Conroy is a Manhattan-based writer who yearns for a better world. He loves to write about politics, news reports, and interesting innovations that will impact the way we live.

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