10 book & podcast pairings to empower education leaders in 2025

If you’re a school or district administrator whose new years resolutions include ‘read more’, we’ve got you covered.

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To save you time, the former teachers on the Sown To Grow team researched and selected a list of page-turners on high-priority topics for your important role: student well-being, school culture, and community.

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For those who prefer podcasts over books, you’re in luck—we provided a pairing for each text!

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Recommended by some of the most reputable names in education and beyond, these 10 titles will ignite a strong start to your year and inspire progress for the semester ahead.

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Support student well-being

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1) The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness 

🌱 STG pick because it not only dissects the roots of the problem, but most importantly, it outlines actionable, restorative, and collaborative solutions.

👍 Recommended by former President Barack Obama

🎧 Discussed on Making Space with Hota Kotb

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2) The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better 

🌱 STG pick because it demonstrates research-driven ways to productively channel every child’s strengths and help them thrive. 

👍 Recommended by Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America

🎧 Discussed on Tea for Teaching

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3) Heartleader: A Trauma-Responsive Approach to Teaching, Leading, and Building Communities 

🌱 STG pick because it beautifully communicates the value of empathy, compassion, and authenticity in the K-12 community.

👍 Recommended by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

🎧 Discussed on Aspire to Lead

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Improve school culture

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4) Happy & Resilient: The Complete Guide to Joyful Teaching, Learning, and Living 

🌱 STG pick because it emphasizes how educators can’t pour from an empty cup, and that well-being is crucial across the entire community. 

👍 Recommended by Terry Walker, Superintendent of Irvine Unified School District

🎧 Discussed on School Culture By Design

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5) Teach Happier This School Year: 40 Weeks of Inspiration and Reflection

🌱 STG pick because it offers teachers the opportunity to reflect on their practice, remember their purpose, and rediscover their ‘why.’

👍 Recommended by The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)

🎧 Discussed on FocusED...

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6) The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life

🌱 STG pick because it provides three uniquely studied strategies to reprogram our brains, achieve more balance, and better our lives.

👍 Recommended by AASA, The School Superintendents Association

🎧 Discussed on Game Changers with Molly Fletcher

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Inspire your community

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7) Infinite Education: The Four-Step Strategy for Leading Change in the Age of Artificial Intelligence 

🌱 STG pick because it unveils practical guidance for navigating the transformative times in technology and education, and leading your school into the future.

👍 Recommended by Sandra H. Ruffo, President of the New York School Boards Association

🎧 Discussed on Easy EdTech Podcast with Monica Burns

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8) Finding the Words: Empowering Struggling Students through Guided Conversations 

🌱 STG pick because it provides tools to leverage the power of language to better understand the issues students face, and support them with safe spaces.

👍 Recommended by District Administration

🎧 Discussed on Teaching Learning Leading K-12

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9) Otherful: How to Change the World (and Your School) Through Other People 

🌱 STG pick because the brief essays are hilarious, motivating, and help leaders get people to work harder, whine less, and enjoy their job more.

👍 Recommended by Greg Rosenbaum, Vice President of SXSW EDU

🎧 Discussed on TLTalkRadio

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10) Lessons that Last: 185 Reflections on the life shaping power of a teacher 

🌱 STG pick because its one-a-day stories enable every educator to relate to and relive their most meaningful, magical moments in the profession.

👍 Recommended by Jennifer Sparano Weisgal, Director of Administration, Hillsborough County Public Schools

🎧 Discussed on Lessons That Last

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As you continue to support the social, emotional, and academic well-being of your students and staff throughout the school year, hopefully you have the opportunity to include some of these books or podcasts into your rotation.

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Feel free to pass this list along to your community. Happy reading, listening, and leading!