What’s On Your Bookshelf?

When my professors mention a resource or curriculum they usually add the following, “This would make a great graduation gift”. As a some-what non-traditional student, I don’t anticipate receiving any gifts for graduation. That being said, I am starting to think about the resources I want to purchase to keep in my future office.

So far I have acquired the following:

School Services Source Book – Cynthia Franklin, Mary Beth Harris, Paula Allen-Meyers

This has been my favorite grad school text book. It’s extremely comprehensive and well organized. The book covers best practices on nearly every domain of the school social work profession. I find the chapters on the various mental health concerns especially useful in identifying interventions that are best supported by research. The book is rather large (1200+ pages) so you wouldn’t want to be lugging it around everywhere, but it will definitely find a home on my professional bookshelf.

 

 

When Death Impacts Your School: A Guide For School Administrators – The Dougy Center for Grieving Children

I bought this after attending a presentation at a conference on dealing with school tragedy. The speaker swore by this resource and stated that it was the best $10 she ever spent. The guide is concise and offers valuable ideas on developing a response plan. It also has sample letters to use for notifying parents, community members, etc. I’m glad I purchased this book, but hoping it doesn’t get much use.

 

 

 

Strong Teens: Grades 9-12: A Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum

I’m currently using this in my internship and I really like the content. The worksheets and handouts have great information, but seem a little bit dry. The curriculum states it can be used with lower functioning kiddos, but I found the material was quite challenging for them and had to modify it. Strong Kids also sells the curriculum in middle and elementary school versions, but a review on amazon.com indicated that there was very little variation between the versions.

 

 

 

Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change – William R. Miller & Stephen Rollnick

I purchased this book while complete my certificate in addictions counseling. Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered yet directive approach to helping people overcome ambivalence regarding change. Checkout my posts on using Motivational Interviewing with academically unmotivated students for more info on MI.

 

 

 

Well that’s it so far. Not much, I know, but I’m creating a wishlist of items I hope to pick up before next fall.

I’d love to hear from other school social workers on this. What’s on your bookshelf?