Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Publication Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 978-1394351183
Buy the Book

If teaching no longer feels like the calling it once was, you’re not alone―and you’re exactly who this book is written for. Teach Kids, Not Content is a heartfelt and refreshingly honest guide for educators who want to reignite their passion for teaching by focusing on what really matters: the kids.

This book delivers real-world strategies for building relationships, boosting mental wellness, and creating learning experiences that stick. Because the content we teach can never be more important than the children we teach it to. Packed with relatable stories, research-informed insights, and laugh-out-loud moments, teachers will find ways to reframe challenges as opportunities for connection and creativity. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, disengaged students, or shifting expectations, you’ll find practical tools to transform your classroom―and your outlook.

Revealing why emotional connection is the key to lasting learning and teacher fulfillment, Teach Kids, Not Content:

• Shares powerful strategies to help teachers reconnect with students and rebuild classroom energy and engagement
• Explains how to create emotionally positive learning environments that make lessons meaningful and memorable
• Offers hands-on methods for managing stress, maintaining mental health, implementing behavior strategies, and finding sustainable joy in teaching
• Includes authentic classroom stories that model empathy, humor, and hope in everyday situations

Ideal for K-12 educators, school counselors, and education majors, Teach Kids, Not Content is perfect for teacher preparation, classroom management, and social-emotional learning courses. It’s also an inspiring resource for in-service training and professional development programs focused on educator well-being and student engagement.