Education Influencers Share Inspiring Reads

—Brook Bello (@BrookBello) is the CEO and founder of the organization More Too Life Inc., which fights against human trafficking and sexual violence.

Brené Brown's latest book, Daring Greatly, is about timing and how it affects education and what we do. I love education books, but I like getting other perspectives from outside of education and figuring out how they can align to the work we're pursuing.

—Eric Sheninger (@E_Sheninger) is an ASCD author and senior fellow at the International Center for Leadership in Education.

The Dreamkeepers by Gloria Ladson-Billings. Her vivid descriptions of eight effective educators of Black children really inspired my mindset toward the type of educator I would become.

—Jessica Stovall's (@MsStovall313) work as an ELA teacher in Oak Park, Ill., is featured in Steve James's 2018 documentary series America to Me.

There Are No Children Here by Alex Kotlowitz chronicles the life of two boys in Chicago in the 1980s and 1990s who live in the housing projects. Though the book was written 30–40 years ago, it helps me get a better understanding and perspective of what our children are bringing into the classroom.

—Dwayne Reed (@TeachMrReed) is a teacher in Chicago Public Schools.

Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book About Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg helped me to have honest conversations and positive examples of gender-inclusive language that I could use in the classroom.

—Becca Mui is a social justice advocate and the education manager at GLSEN (@GLSEN_Education), a nonprofit dedicated to LGBTQ concerns in K–12 schools.

Safe Is Not Enough: Better Schools for LGBTQ Students by Michael Sadowski is an incredible, in-depth look at how we must move beyond just thinking about safe schools for our LGBTQ youth, and toward schools where students can thrive.

—Vanessa Ford (@VanessaFordDC) is a veteran educator and an advocate for transgender youth.

'Tis by Frank McCourt captures the heartbreaking, ridiculous, and joyful moments of caring teachers. Mountains Beyond Mountain by Tracy Kidder provides the reminder that we have a responsibility to make the world a better place and that we each have the capacity to do so. Top of my summer reading list: Toni Morrison's new collection of essays, The Source of Self-Regard, and in YA lit, Laurie Halse Anderson's Shout.

—Nancy Frey (@NancyFrey) is an ASCD author and professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University.  

Read more Q&As with these speakers on the Empower19 news site.

Responses edited for length and clarity.