October 2022 Bookshelf

After fleeing Nazi-occupied France when she was just 11, Gisèle Huff and her mother arrived in America with only $400 to their names. A remarkable woman in many aspects of her life, Gisèle went on to earn a Ph.D. from Columbia University in political science, run for Congress, and advance cultural change across myriad domains. Gisèle has had a deep impact on many movements — including the learner-centered one — and has been part of Education Reimagined since before we had a vision. She has advocated for a human-centered approach to education, technology, and the universal basic income movement. Force of Nature is a must-read for anyone looking for a spark of inspiration from an incredible leader’s life.

The human mind is beautifully complex, filled with interests, needs, dreams, emotions, and so much more. Too often, we make incorrect assumptions about others, simplifying everything that makes them unique or projecting our own lived experience onto them. Social psychologist Nicholas Epley explores the complex puzzle of the human mind, providing readers with insights and strategies to better understand how to approach and engage with the people in their lives. This book is recommended for those looking to build deeper and more meaningful connections with the people they interact with — from friends and partners to colleagues and strangers.

We are immersed in systems — offices, restaurants, classrooms, sports teams, grocery stores, governments, and even our own households are systems in their own ways. Systems thinking explores how these structures interact, beyond the basic cause-and-effect analysis. As systems thinking grows in prominence, particularly in the realm of education transformation, we suggest this book for anyone looking to explore how systems impact their lives, their work, and the conversations about change happening all around us.

Of the many books about the need for a new education system, few address the paradigm shift that is needed in as much depth as The Landscape Model of Learning. Authors Jennifer Klein and Kapono Ciotti offer practical strategies while focusing on the landscape model’s three elements: understanding the ecosystem, defining the horizon, and charting the pathway. Pick up The Landscape Model of Learning to explore new pathways for thinking in education, particularly with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.

So many teachers working in the current education system are feeling stuck — wanting to make a change but unable to forge a path forward due to systematic constraints. In Rebel Educator, Tanya Sheckley doesn’t focus on one particular strategy or method but, rather, encourages educators to create a system that works for their students in their particular classroom. “Rebel Educator takes a tough, honest look at our modern educational system while providing actionable insights and ideas to fill the classroom with imagination and curiosity.” If you are an educator working in our conventional school system looking to push against its limits, this book is for you.