I have spent more time in airports, airplanes, rental cars and hotels this year than I could ever have imagined. It is critical to my job to be a physical presence at our schools and in our communities, especially in my first year. But in addition to all the obvious benefits travel has produced for me professionally, it has also yielded one unintended, yet important benefit…
…time to read!
Yes, I am aware that I could easily pay for wifi on my flights in order to stay connected at all times and there have been times I’ve had to fight the temptation to remain on the grid. But putting my phone into “airplane mode” has been to my professional growth like putting my soul into “Shabbat mode” continues to be to my spiritual growth. Once that cabin door is secured, I take a deep breath, go into airplane mode, and open my book. And, yes, an actual book. I know I am supposed to always model excellence in 21st century learning, so I guess I should do all my professional reading via iPad, but for whatever reason, when it comes to doing professional development 30,000 miles up, I prefer a book in my hand.
Don’t tell anyone.
All the books I read this year were suggested from colleagues and friends from all the usual places…and I didn’t even get to half of what I wanted to read. Luckily, that’s partly why they made summer! If any of the books below inspired your professional growth, do comment or otherwise make it known. And if you have new suggestions…always happy to add one more to the seat pocket in front of me…
If you missed our Summer Professional Development publication, please check it out here.
To the schools that have already closed, I hope you are already enjoying your summer…
…and to those closing soon, I hope you close with great pride on a year well spent.
I, too, look forward to some recharging and relaxing (just a bit!) this summer and, so, this blog will likely come less frequently until school returns in August. I have one more post for sure on next year’s programmatic agenda and any updates on the future worth sharing and, then I will enjoy what it is like to blog when the spirit – not a deadline – moves me.
Flip-flops…here we come…
