Busy Middle & High School Teacher - The Best Books Reviews

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Discover valuable insights with AIra and AIlex in this engaging podcast for middle and high school teachers. They discuss the best professional books, offering deep dives into innovative teaching methods and strategies that fit seamlessly into a busy educator's life.

  1. Never Work Harder Than Your Students: Great Teaching Principles

    JAN 31

    Never Work Harder Than Your Students: Great Teaching Principles

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional This text, excerpts from Robyn R. Jackson's book, explores the idea that master teaching is not an innate gift but a result of a specific mindset and intentional practices. The author shares her journey from believing in a mysterious "gift" to understanding that effective educators focus on principles rather than just strategies, continually reflect on their practice, and prioritize student learning over their own efforts. The book outlines key principles such as starting where students are, setting high expectations, providing consistent support, using feedback effectively, emphasizing quality over quantity in assignments, and empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Ultimately, the text argues that anyone can become a master teacher by cultivating the right mindset and diligently applying these fundamental principles in their classrooms.

    17 min
  2. The Formative Assessment Action Plan

    JAN 24

    The Formative Assessment Action Plan

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional ASCD, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, produced this document, "NANCYF~1.PDF," in 2011. It outlines a comprehensive system for formative assessment in education. The text emphasizes the importance of understanding where students are going (feed-up), how they are doing (feedback), and where they are going next (feed-forward). It explores various techniques for checking student understanding, including questioning, discussion, writing, and presentations. Furthermore, the document details strategies for providing effective feedback and using student responses to guide future instruction within a gradual release of responsibility framework, highlighting differentiation and the role of leadership.

    25 min
  3. Finding Your Element: Stories of Passion and Potential

    JAN 17

    Finding Your Element: Stories of Passion and Potential

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional Ken Robinson's "The Element" explores the crucial intersection of natural talent and personal passion, arguing that finding this "Element" is vital for individual fulfillment and societal progress. The book uses numerous anecdotes of successful individuals across diverse fields to illustrate how people discover their unique aptitudes and how aligning their lives with these passions leads to happiness and achievement. Robinson critiques conventional education systems for often stifling creativity and individual talents through standardized testing and a narrow focus on academic subjects. He champions a more holistic approach to education that nurtures individual strengths and fosters a love of learning. The text also examines the importance of finding one's "tribe" or community that shares and supports their passions, as well as navigating cultural and societal pressures that can hinder the discovery of one's Element. Ultimately, the book serves as an inspiring guide for individuals and institutions to rethink their approaches to talent development and personal growth, emphasizing the power of imagination and the potential within everyone.

    17 min
  4. Classroom Instruction That Works

    JAN 10

    Classroom Instruction That Works

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional This source, likely a book or substantial report, focuses on identifying and explaining various instructional strategies that can enhance student learning across different knowledge types and subject areas. It synthesizes educational research, presenting findings like effect sizes and percentile gains for techniques such as setting objectives, providing feedback, cooperative learning, and using nonlinguistic representations. The text offers practical classroom applications for each strategy, including examples and graphic organizers, and also addresses related topics like homework, practice, summarizing, note-taking, and vocabulary instruction. Ultimately, it aims to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice, encouraging educators to adopt evidence-based approaches to improve teaching effectiveness.

    30 min
  5. Meet Me in the Middle: Becoming an Accomplished Middle Level Teacher

    JAN 3

    Meet Me in the Middle: Becoming an Accomplished Middle Level Teacher

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional Rick Wormeli's "Meet Me in the Middle" offers a comprehensive guide for accomplished middle school teaching. The book blends educational theory with practical classroom examples drawn from Wormeli's extensive experience. It emphasizes understanding and motivating young adolescents through engaging lessons, differentiated instruction, and effective assessment techniques. Wormeli underscores the importance of building positive relationships with students, incorporating brain research into teaching practices, and fostering critical thinking skills. The text also explores topics like classroom management, collaboration with colleagues and parents, and the benefits of outdoor learning and block scheduling. Ultimately, the book aims to equip educators with immediately usable strategies to create dynamic and successful learning environments for middle schoolers.

    18 min
  6. Elementary Classroom Best Practices from Award-Winning Teachers

    12/27/2025

    Elementary Classroom Best Practices from Award-Winning Teachers

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional This compilation, Best Practices for Elementary Classrooms, presents a diverse array of award-winning teaching strategies across various subjects and grade levels, as shared by educators nationwide. The text offers practical lesson ideas and classroom management techniques for reading, writing, math, science, social studies, music, art, and physical education. Furthermore, it highlights the effective integration of technology into instruction and emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive and engaging learning environment through community building and differentiated approaches. Ultimately, the resource aims to provide teachers with an inside view of exemplary educational practices and readily implementable lesson plans.

    23 min
  7. A Chance to Make History: What Works in Education

    12/20/2025

    A Chance to Make History: What Works in Education

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional This source examines the persistent achievement gap affecting low-income and minority students in American schools despite decades of reform efforts. It highlights the critical role of transformational leadership at the teacher, school, and system levels as a key to changing students' academic trajectories. The text provides numerous examples of educators and schools demonstrating significant success in overcoming these challenges through focused strategies, high expectations, and strong cultures of achievement. It emphasizes that replicating these successes requires a deep understanding of effective teaching practices, strategic talent development, and supportive policy environments. Ultimately, the source argues that systemic change is possible by identifying and cultivating leaders committed to ensuring equitable educational outcomes for all children.

    27 min
  8. The Innovator's Mindset: Empowering Learning and Leading Change

    12/13/2025

    The Innovator's Mindset: Empowering Learning and Leading Change

    Full podcast episode available here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusyProfessionall // Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/busyprofessional // Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/busy-middle-high-school-teacher-the-best-books-reviews/id1799985519 — Follow us for more insights & updates: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busy_proffesional/ — TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busyprofessional The provided text is comprised of excerpts from George Couros's book, "The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity," along with endorsements and supplementary material. The book champions a shift in educational thinking towards innovation, emphasizing the development of learners and leaders who can create a better future. Couros argues that innovation in education is not just about technology but a mindset focused on creating something new and better. He explores key aspects such as building relationships, embracing open cultures, fostering meaningful learning experiences, and the importance of a growth mindset. The text also touches upon practical strategies for educators and leaders to cultivate innovation within their schools and districts, moving away from compliance and towards empowerment and learner-centered approaches. Ultimately, the book encourages educators to see change as an opportunity for amazing things and to prioritize the needs and passions of their students.

    14 min
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Discover valuable insights with AIra and AIlex in this engaging podcast for middle and high school teachers. They discuss the best professional books, offering deep dives into innovative teaching methods and strategies that fit seamlessly into a busy educator's life.

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