As we close out another year of the Highest Aspirations podcast, it's time to highlight book recommendations collected from our diverse guests. Here is our 2019 list of 10 must-reads. In case you missed it last year, you can find our 2018 list here.

Don't see your favorite book on the list? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!

ELL Shadowing as a Catalyst for Change, by Ivannia Soto

"The process of ELL shadowing helps teachers better understand the classroom experience from an English language learner's point of view. The author describes how to implement this easily accessible form of professional development, outlines specific strategies for adapting instruction to engage ELLs, and provides academic language development videos."

From Episode 3: ELL Shadowing as a Catalyst for Change with Dr. Ivannia Soto

The End of Average, Todd Rose

"Weaving science, history, and his personal experiences as a high school dropout, Rose offers a powerful alternative to understanding individuals through averages: the three principles of individuality. The jaggedness principle (talent is always jagged), the context principle (traits are a myth), and the pathways principle (we all walk the road less traveled) help us understand our true uniqueness—and that of others—and how to take full advantage of individuality to gain an edge in life."

From Episode 5: English Learners and Advanced STEM Courses with Dr. Stephen Fleenor
 

Co-Teaching for English Learners: A Guide to Collaborative Planning, Instruction, Assessment, and Reflection, by Maria G. Dove and Andrea Honigsfeld

"EL authorities Maria Dove and Andrea Honigsfeld take ESL teachers and their general education colleagues step-by-step through building a successful collaboration―or improving an existing one. And since no teaching team is exactly alike, you’ll find seven collaborative models to choose from."

From Episode 11: Co-Planning, Co-Teaching, and Collaboration for EL Instruction with Maria G. Dove and Andrea Honigsfeld

Teach Like a Pirate, by Dave Burgess

"Based on Dave Burgess's popular "Teach Like a PIRATE" seminars, this book offers inspiration, practical techniques, and innovative ideas that will help you to increase student engagement, boost your creativity, and transform your life as an educator."

From Episode 11: Using Project Based Learning Strategies to Reach Newcomers with Elizabeth Leone

Pedagogy of the Oppressed, by Paulo Freire

"Paulo Freire's work has helped to empower countless people throughout the world and has taken on special urgency in the United States and Western Europe, where the creation of a permanent underclass among the underprivileged and minorities in cities and urban centers is ongoing."

From Episode 8: Examining Teacher Assessments as Barriers for EL Educators with Emery Petchauer

Supporting English Learners in the Classroom: Best Practices for Distinguishing Language Acquisition from Learning Disabilities, by Eric M, Haas and Julie Esparza Brown

"In this important resource, educators will find evidence-based best practices to help them address the individual needs of English learners with academic challenges and those who have been referred for special education services."

From Episode 14: Dyslexia and English Learners with Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley

Con Respeto: Bridging the Distances Between Culturally Diverse Families and Schools: An Ethnographic Portrait, by Guadalupe Valdés

"Guadalupe Valdés examines what appears to be a lack of interest in education by Mexican parents and shows, through extensive quotations and numerous anecdotes, that these families are both rich and strong in family values, and that they bring with them clear views of what constitutes success and failure."

From Episodes 6 & 7: Preparing Teachers to Work With Multilingual Learners with Sera Hernandez         

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts., by Brené Brown 

"The ultimate playbook for developing brave leaders and courageous cultures. Daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100% teachable. It's learning and practice that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with our whole hearts." 

From Episode 9: A Conceptual Framework for EL Program Management and Instruction with Adam Howard
 

The Courage to Teach, by Parker J. Palmer

"The Courage to Teach speaks to the joys and pains tht teachers of every sort know well. Over the last 20 years, the book has helped countless educators reignite their passion, redirect their practice, and deal with the many pressures that accompany their vital work."

From Episode 1: Using QSSSA to Enhance Classroom Conversations with John Seidlitz
 

Atomic Habits, by James Clear

"Atomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits - whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, and achieve success that lasts."

From Episode 4: Run Schools Like Disney: Equitable Educational Experiences for All Students with Lynmara Colón

Do you have a book recommendation to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!