Recommended Books

By Judy Willis and Malana Willis

This book uniquely provides both the brain science behind learning and behavior, as well as concrete strategies to use in K-12 lessons across disciplines.

By Zaretta Hammond

Learn how to engage learners of all identities with culturally responsive pedagogy, and the neuroscience that underpins these strategies.

By Paul Zak

Learn the neuroscience research behind why trust is a necessary factor in success, creativity, and collaboration both in schools and in professional work.

By Frances Jensen

Understand the inner workings of the brain during adolescence, including a range of topics like learning, media, sleep, drugs, and alcohol.

By John Spencer & A.J. Juliani

See what it looks like to move a culture of learning from compliance to empowerment! Excellent practical and graphical guide to creating agency through student-driven learning.

By Ana Lorena Fábrega

Let’s change the game of school into a space for authentic learning and purpose-driven exploration. Feel energized by this clearly envisioned reimagination of US education, prioritizing meaning and engagement for students.

By Angela Duckworth

Learn about the science behind what makes people gritty, through the cultivation of passion which drives the ability to persevere through challenge.

By National Research Council

Exceptional collection of decades of important research across the field of learning sciences. Series includes volumes with research about specific content areas.

By Barbara Oakley et al.

Understand how learning and memory works, from an expert communicator of neuroscience for educators.

by Ayelet Fishbach

What actually works to motivate ourselves and others to change long-term behaviors? Explore the new science of motivation that turns many traditional methods on their head.

By Amishi Jha

How does our attention actually work? Have we become more distractible over time? How can we train our attention to become more focused and less stressed? Find out here!

By Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Learn essential characteristics of memorable messages and experiences, that transfer to any context personally and professionally.

by Peps McCrea

Quick and powerful read about five high-impact strategies to boost intrinsic motivation for students.

By John Medina

Explore key truths about how our brains work that can improve how we learn, work, and live. Topics include sleep, stress, attention, exercise, and more.

By Pooja Agarwal & Patrice Bain

Learn high-powered cognitive science strategies that boost memory and learning for students, including retrieval practice, spaced practice, interleaving, and feedback.

By Lisa Feldman Barrett

This is a short read that packs a powerful punch of brain science. Explore fundamental truths about how our brains evolved and ways we can leverage that in today’s world.

By Geoffrey Cohen

Explore the science behind why humans need to feel belonging at all ages, in order to learn, perform, and succeed.

By William Stixrud & Ned Johnson

Understand the science behind why it’s so important to give kids choice in their school and home lives.

By Charan Ranganath

Explore the fascinating research on memory as it applies to our daily lives, education, and work. Several common conceptions about memory are turned upside down. A must-read for anyone who loves to learn about memory!

By National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Updated findings from important learning science research, including culturally responsive pedagogy and design.

by Carl D. Marci

Explore the compelling research which shows how our brains are being rewired by using mobile devices, at all ages. This book explores impacts of technology on attention, learning, well-being, and more.

By Adam Gazzaley & Larry D. Rosen

Learn how excessive use of internet, smart phones, and social media have changed the way we interact at school, work, and home. Have our brains become permanently distracted?

by Catherine Price

For a quicker read about the impacts of cell phones on our brains and lives, and strategies to reclaim in person connections, this is the book for you!

by Daniel Pink

Excellent summary of research showing how the field of motivation has change from carrots and sticks (extrinsic) to purposeful and autonomous work (intrinsic).

By Douglas Reeves

Creating a sense of trust in schools is paramount for success and well-being. Learn how to establish stability for students and staff by leaning away from fear and toward your community.

By Harvard Business Review

Learn research-based strategies for motivating staff from leading experts across a variety of fields.

by Cal Newport

Want to learn the secrets to regaining focus and minimizing distractions? Cal Newport is the expert on breaking away from our overly connected culture to achieve truly deep work.

By Chip Heath & Dan Heath

What does research say about how to make change when people or systems feel stuck in old ways of doing things? Learn about creative strategies for how to advance change.

By Leidy Klotz

Explore the untapped science of less. Learn about the ways our brains default to adding when solving problems, and the ways we can achieve more meaningful outcomes through the process of subtraction.

By Tim Elmore

Learn about the paradoxical skills that effective leaders demonstrate, including having clear vision while also recognizing blind spots. Another is balancing visibility and invisibility.

By Simon Sinek

Thinking about why your organization does what it does allows you to be more effective in your communication and decision-making as a leader and professional.

By Dan Heath

What if we could prevent problems before they begin? Thinking upstream encourages leaders to zoom out from daily emergencies, to engineer smarter systemic solutions.

By Simon Sinek

An excellent resource for leaders and educators to re-think how we design our systems to motivate long-lasting learning and growth, rather than short finite “wins” that don’t advance our deeper “just cause”.

By Brene Brown

Learn about the science behind why and how to build trust with teams, through embracing vulnerability and courageous conversations.