8 Books to Celebrate Teachers

Celebrate the teachers in your life by giving them books they will enjoy both inside and outside the classroom

PESI Team

PESI Publishing has no shortage of resources that educators would be thrilled to have on their shelves. Whether you’re looking for engaging and thoughtful children’s books for elementary classrooms; toolboxes filled with worksheets, games, and exercises to help students manage emotions and build resiliency; or the ultimate self-care guide for teachers who are feeling overwhelming levels of stress, burnout, and exhaustion—we have something for everyone.

Here we’ve compiled a list of 8 products that are the perfect gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week this May 3–7, 2021.

Self-Compassion for Educators by Lisa Baylis, MEd
Self-Compassion for Educators
In her debut book, fellow educator and mindful self-compassion expert, Lisa Baylis, MEd, provides educators with simple, accessible, and easy-to-use practices that will inspire them to care for themselves—instead of adding to their chaos—so they can continue doing the profession they love. Within Self-Compassion for Educators, busy and overwhelmed teachers will learn how to sustain their well-being, grow their resilience, and reignite their passion for teaching others.
Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke, PhD
Beyond Behaviors
In Beyond Behaviors, internationally known pediatric psychologist Dr. Mona Delahooke describes behaviors as the tip of the iceberg—as important signals that we need to address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety. With a variety of impactful worksheets and charts, this accessible book offers educators tools and techniques to reduce behavioral challenges, enhance psychological resilience, and help children form satisfying, secure relationships.
Building a Trauma-Informed Compassionate Classroom by Jennifer Bashant, PhD, LMSW, MA
Building a Trauma Informed Classroom
Meeting students’ social and emotional needs in the classroom is foundational to effective learning. It’s a difficult job when working with typical learners, let alone with students who have a trauma history and more demanding mental health or behavioral challenges. Mental health expert Dr. Jennifer Bashant details how using a trauma-informed approach will greatly reduce—even eliminate—challenging behaviors in your classroom. With her practical, research-based, and easy-to-use strategies, every educator can create a classroom where all students feel welcomed, supported, and ready to learn.
Thank You Mind by Jennifer Cohen Harper, MA, E-RYT, RCYT
Thank You Mind
Written by an educator, children’s yoga expert, and mother, Thank You Mind provides an inviting exploration of a wide range of emotions—from anger to boredom to awe—helping children discover how their mind can help them make sense of their experiences. Thank You Mind also includes meaningful tips for caregivers and educators to help their children learn how awareness, self-compassion, and positive self-talk can be powerful tools on even the trickiest days. Click here if you’d like to read along with Jennifer Cohen Harper!
Calm and Peaceful Mindful Me by Andrea Dorn, MSW
Calm and Peaceful Mindful Me
In this fun and delightfully charming book, children will follow a gender-neutral character through an easy-to-understand, step-by-step mindfulness practice. Written and illustrated by a therapist (and mother), Andrea Dorn, MSW, this simple yet very intentionally written book introduces the concept of mindfulness with a first-person, mantra-like narrative that will help children build greater awareness of their body and emotions. This book makes it remarkably easy to teach mindfulness to young students in a concrete way.
ADHD, Executive Function & Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom by Cindy Goldrich, EdM, ADHD-CCSP and Carly Wolf, MA
ADHD, Executive Function & Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom
ADHD and executive function expert, Cindy Goldrich, and special education teacher, Carly Goldrich, combined efforts to create this powerful resource to help teachers and professionals understand and connect with students. These practical tools and worksheets are designed to help students become resourceful, accountable, optimistic, and perseverant. Take advantage of the latest brain research and evidence-based best practices to get kids motivated, focused, and organized so they can perform closer to their real potential.
Coping Skills for Kids Workbook by Janine Halloran, MA, LMHC
Coping Skills for Kids Workbook
Dealing with stress, anxiety, and anger are important skills to learn, but not all kids learn those strategies naturally. In The Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, children will learn how to calm down, balance their energy and emotions, and process challenging feelings. This much-loved favorite by educators, counselors, and parents alike provides over 75 innovative, fun, and engaging activities that Janine Hallorin developed from her experience in schools and outpatient mental health clinics and as a mother.
Some Nights I Flip My Lid by Kellie Doyle Bailey, MA, CCC-SLP, MMT/SEL
Some Nights I Flip My Lid
Some Nights I Flip My Lid follows 4th grader Grace, who holds it together at school as she navigates the stressors of being a kid but unravels once in the safety of her home. Together with her family, she learns mindfulness strategies to help manage big emotions after a long day. This sequel to the bestseller Some Days I Flip My Lid is a colorful and delightfully engaging story for home or school, or whenever your child needs a mindful moment to be calm and cool. You’ll also find bonus material for families, caregivers, and educators, including step-by-step instructions for teaching mindful grounding techniques!
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