School is winding down for many educators across the country. Summer is a much needed time for teachers to rejuvenate, reflect and rebuild.

Contrary to popular belief, educators are not truly off in the summer. What other professions are responsible for 30-150 human beings' emotional, mental and academic needs during 10 out of 12 months, or are constantly thinking about standards, tests and meetings in the shower, and are planning exciting activities during their dinnertime?

I recall the famous math behind why educators are not paid for "being off in the summer."

"At a minimum, if teachers work two extra hours a day outside of school hours (which we have to in order to plan instruction), five days a week, it adds up to equal eight-hour days for the entire summer; teachers are working enough during the school year to compensate for the hours that they are not working during the summer."

Summer allows us to think, ponder and catch our breaths so we can do it all again (effectively).

In between enjoying family time, treating oneself to adult beverages and beach vacations, the following books will serve as meaningful forms of professional development for continuous learning. I have selected my top three books that offer rewarding instructional strategies and reflective practice activities for educators at every stage of our careers.

Getting started: "The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide" by Julia G. Thompson

If you are joining our profession, welcome and get ready to hit the ground sprinting.

There are many great reads for new teachers such as Harry Wong's "First Days of School" and Doug Lemov's "Teach like a Champion," but I also enjoy Thompson's first-year survival guide. The 560-page guide provides ready-to-use strategies, activities and electronic templates.

Though the book is big (it covers every area of first-year teacher need), the table of contents and index makes it super-manageable for teachers to choose an area of focus and dig into it. The book explores every instructional area from becoming effective team players to planning classroom behavior management strategies to working with diverse learners.

I highly recommend equipping yourself with this resource as you start your journey.

Journey lovers: "Universal Design for Learning" by Anne Meyer, David H. Rose and David Gordon

If you are a returning teacher, you are too aware that none of our students is the same. As such, when we purposefully plan, we can remove learning barriers from the beginning and differentiate learning to meaningfully reach all learners.

It is easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed with UDL theory. At the end of the day, the key fact is neuroscience shows individuals have unique differences, and in order to be responsive and have the highest yield, we must provide multiple means of engagement, representation and expression.

In each chapter, the authors unpack the UDL principals, and they provide resources, strategies and links to watch the three principals in action in actual classrooms. This book also helps us address learner variability by sharing templates and resources to provide flexible goals, methods, materials and assessments that will empower educators to meet our students' varied needs.

For additional strategies, an interactive electronic teacher checklist, and more videos, visit CAST, the UDL center and Maryland Learning Links.

Leadership steps: "The Principal" by Micheal Fullan

One of the best quotes from the book is, "A fool with a tool is still a fool." This book provides a historical look at how the role of the principal has changed and how to effectively use the role as principal to be a vehicle for transformation.

The chapters are short, but poignantly direct with information on effective leadership. Chapter 3 provides a host of research on effective leaders and effective schools (including work from Professional Capital, Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves). Chapter 5 provides reflective resources on the core leadership competencies needed to develop and sustain professional capital in our school communities.

At the end of each chapter, there is an action-item checklist for reflection. Throughout the book, there are guided opportunities to "discuss with the colleagues." Also, noteworthy are the resources provided; specifically, Fullan shares various leadership assessments to support active reflection. The book isn't colorfully packed with diagrams and visual supports the way most educators may enjoy, but sometimes you just need a short and straight-to-the-point manual.

Many congratulations on completing another year of academic success. Please find time to celebrate personal and classroom accomplishments. No matter the size of growth, acknowledge, celebrate and reflect on you and your students' progress.

And just in case, you haven't heard it enough: Thank you, we truly appreciate you.

Until next school year ...