As teachers, we’re constantly balancing our time between students, curriculum, assessment, and our own professional growth. One of the ways we nourish both our practice and our perspective is through intentional reading and I’m always on the lookout for books that make me think differently about learning, equity, connection, and the work we do every day. Here are five new and upcoming titles worth putting on your reading list this year.
Ditching Weight Stigma and Anti-Fat Bias at School
by Cait O’Connor — releasing March 19, 2026
Weight stigma and anti-fat bias are pervasive in schools, shaping how students and teachers experience classroom culture, wellness lessons, and school community norms. In this forthcoming book, Cait O’Connor grounds the conversation in research and offers practical “equity fixes” that help educators recognize and dismantle fatphobia in policy, practice, and daily interactions across grade levels and subject areas. What makes this especially relevant for teachers is its focus on concrete strategies that create more inclusive, affirming environments — a reminder that equity work must include bodies of all sizes. I’ve followed Cait for a while now on social media and am looking forward to learning from her at the SHAPE America National Convention in March.
Getting Real About Sex Ed: What Today’s Students Need (promo code HCPR26 saves 20%)
by Shafia Zaloom — releasing March 17, 2026
Sexuality education remains one of the most misunderstood and under-supported components of school curricula. Shafia Zaloom’s Getting Real About Sex Ed offers a clear, developmentally appropriate roadmap for K–12 educators to integrate comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) into daily practice, emphasizing relationships, communication, consent, and dignity across age groups. This is not a “how-to lecture” book; it’s a resource that helps teachers navigate real student needs, community contexts, and their own professional confidence — something any educator who interacts with students in hallways, classrooms, or advisories will find valuable. I’m a long time fan of Shafia’s work, and quote her previous book in my consent discussions. Thank you to Christopher Pepper for introducing us to each other many years ago.
Move More, Learn More!: Harnessing the Brain–Body Connection in Early Childhood
Edited by Lynne Kenney and Mike Kuczala — releasing February 27, 2026
Movement isn’t just something we do in recess or PE — it’s foundational to how young brains develop and make meaning. This book brings together research and practical movement-integrated activities for early childhood educators that show why movement enhances attention, memory, self-regulation, and language development. While the focus is early childhood, the core idea, that learning is embodied and not just cerebral, resonates for educators at all levels who want to reimagine instructional routines, breaks, and activities in ways that support attention and cognitive engagement. I’m proud to share that I contributed a chapter in this book in which I share ideas to help educators and caregivers be more intentional, and ultimately more successful, in their implementation of movement based learning activities.
The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World
by Brad Stulberg — released January 27, 2026
This wide-ranging book on excellence comes at a time when “doing more” often gets confused with being better. Brad Stulberg redefines excellence as a practice — anchored in deep satisfaction, aligned values, and consistent habits rather than constant busyness or external validation. For teachers, this perspective offers a much-needed framework for approaching professional growth, classroom culture, mentorship of students, and personal resilience. Rather than chasing scores or checklists, The Way of Excellence invites us to consider who we want to be as educators and how we structure our practice to reflect that. I recently heard Brad on Rich Roll’s podcast and I’m excited to check out this highly acclaimed book.
Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives
by Daisy Fancourt — released February 3, 2026
Daisy Fancourt’s Art Cure unpacks decades of research showing that engagement with the arts — whether music, dance, visual art, theater, or creative writing — has measurable benefits for mental and physical health. From reducing stress and depression to building social connection and cognitive resilience, the evidence she presents repositions the arts not as optional enrichment, but as essential to whole-child development and well-being. For teachers across disciplines, this book provides a compelling case to advocate for arts integration and creativity as part of every student’s educational experience and an invitation to reclaim creativity as a source of renewal in our own lives. Ian Lacasse has shared his use of art in the health classroom with the slowchathealth site in the past, and as soon as I saw this title I shared it with him immediately.
These five books speak to me in so many ways. Equity, human development, embodied learning, teacher practice, and the science of creativity. ALL features that society is craving right now. These books remind us that teaching isn’t just about content delivery, it’s about creating space where every student (and every teacher) can thrive. If, like me, you’re already planning your spring and summer reading, these titles are worth a spot at the top of your #bookstack.
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