Best Educational Certification & Development Books of 2026

PMP Exam Prep Simplified is a comprehensive guide that covers the current PMP Exam and includes a 35-hour e-learning course. The book is fully updated for the 2022 PMP Exam and includes additional video-based content on the PMBOK Guide 7th Edition. It also covers Agile, Hybrid, and Traditional Project Management. The e-learning course provides over 38 hours of project management education and over 1000 questions with 450 videos. This guide and course are all you will need to apply and pass your PMP on the first try. Highly recommended for PMP aspirants.

Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literacy Classroom is a concise and practical guide for K-2 teachers who want to integrate effective reading strategies from both the Science of Reading and Balanced Literacy perspectives. Written by Dr. Jan Burkins and Kari Yates, the book offers evidence-based instructions and sample activities for every shift that helps educators understand common misconceptions and adjust their thinking around instructional practices. This book is a must-read for teachers who want to make sound decisions anchored in research and keep students at the forefront of reading instruction.

The Writing Revolution: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades is a comprehensive guide that provides a clear method of instruction for teachers to improve their students' writing skills. The Hochman Method, also known as TWR, focuses on specific techniques that match students' needs and provides targeted feedback to turn weak writers into strong communicators. It is a revolutionary method that not only improves writing skills but also boosts reading comprehension, enhances speaking abilities, and develops analytical capabilities. This book is an excellent resource for teachers of all subjects and grade levels who want to lead a writing revolution in their classrooms.

The 5th edition of "THE First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher" is an education staple for preparing effective teachers at all grade levels, pre-K through college, in all content areas. It provides practical and inspiring guidance on structuring and organizing a classroom for success that can be applied at any time of the year. The book includes updated research, stories, and an updated Lesson Mastery unit. The addition of a 54-minute DVD, "You Have Changed My Life," with accomplished actor and singer William Martinez, makes this edition bigger, better, and bolder. Overall, this is the best-selling book ever on classroom management and teaching for student achievement with over 4 million copies sold.

Applied Behavior Analysis is a comprehensive guide to the principles and procedures for changing and analyzing socially important behavior. The 3rd edition includes updates on topics such as negative reinforcement, motivation, and ethics. It also features two new chapters on Equivalence-based Instruction and Engineering Emergent Learning with Nonequivalence Relations. The book is connected to the BCBA® and BCABA® Behavior Analyst Task List, 5th Edition. This is an essential resource for anyone interested in the field of behavior analysis and is recommended for both professionals and students.

Unearthing Joy is a guide to culturally and historically responsive curriculum and instruction, which adds joy as the fifth pursuit to Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's instructional model. This book offers an insightful perspective on how to teach from cultural and historical realities to cultivate identity, skills, intellect, criticality, and joy for all students. The wise implementation advice, model lessons, and assessment tools make this book an essential resource for educators. Overall, Unearthing Joy is a must-read for educators looking to create a curriculum that generates joy and genius for all students.

If you aspire to lead transformational workshops, trainings, or retreats, then "Designing & Leading Life-Changing Workshops" is the book for you. Drawing on real-life stories, new science, and ancient wisdom, this guide provides you with the tools to inspire self-discovery, build trust, and ignite original thinking. With ready-to-use exercises, templates, worksheets, and checklists, you'll create and fine-tune your workshops, trainings, and retreats. This book is full of value for both beginner and experienced workshop teachers, providing specific tips, heartfelt support, respect for diversity, and practical troubleshooting for any issues that arise. It is a masterful, thorough, encouraging, and useful guide that is beautifully written.

Teach Like a Champion 3.0 is an updated guide to teaching that provides new and updated techniques, as well as the latest evidence from cognitive science and culturally responsive teaching practices. The book also includes an expanded companion video collection, an introductory chapter on mental models, a brand new chapter on Lesson Preparation, 10 new techniques, and updated and revised versions of all the techniques. This book is a must-read for educators who want to create a positive and productive classroom environment that encourages student engagement, trust, respect, accountability, and excellence. Overall, Teach Like a Champion 3.0 is an essential tool for educators looking to improve their teaching skills and put their students on the path to success.

The Art of Coaching: Effective Strategies for School Transformation is a comprehensive guide for both new and experienced school coaches. Elena Aguilar presents a transformational coaching model that focuses on addressing equity issues in schools. This book offers practical tools, such as rubrics and cheat sheets, and covers topics such as building trust, asking powerful questions, and developing work plans. The book's user-friendly structure allows for easy access to information. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for school coaches, principals, district leaders, and other administrators who are interested in implementing coaching strategies to transform their schools.

The Restorative Practices Playbook is an excellent resource for educators who want to transform discipline in schools. The book offers practical tools and examples that can support teachers or create system-wide change. The author, Dominique Smith, Ed.D., is passionate about creating school cultures that honor students and build their confidence and competence. The book is unique in its focus on restorative practices, classroom management, growth mindset, and the culture of achievement. Overall, this book is a valuable addition to any educator's library.