Written by Lainie Rowell

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It’s Time to Make Gratitude a priority

Research proves that by intentionally practicing gratitude, we can dramatically improve our disposition, bringing us more joy and better health. Consistently and intentionally practicing gratitude can also lead to better relationships and more successful learning experiences. In this book, Lainie Rowell shows how educators can use small gratitude practices to make a big difference with kids, peers, and the world.

Drawing on recent discoveries in neuroscience, and highlighting the stories of twenty educators from around the world, Evolving with Gratitude will equip you with tools and resources to create safe, equitable, empowering learning experiences for all learners. Discover how to empower kids to be grateful for learning, which can lead to greater engagement. Learn how to practice gratitude with peers to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and nourish relationships. Get back to the joy of teaching, learning, and leading with implementable, research-backed practices and promote prosocial behavior in our world.

Endorsements

The science and practice of gratitude have evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years. You and your family can also evolve with gratitude, and Lainie Rowell shows how. Informational and inspirational, the book blends the best research and practices with Lainie’s own personal experiences. Lainie’s transparency lends an air of honesty and humility to the wisdom she dispenses and will assist you in living joyfully, effectively, and meaningfully. She clearly and compellingly demonstrates that gratitude is the best approach to life!
—Robert Emmons, editor-in-chief of The Journal of Positive Psychology and author of Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier
Inspiring. Practical. Actionable.

The perfect book to help you bring more gratitude into your own life and your learning communities.
—Marc Brackett, PhD, bestselling author of Permission to Feel and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

Evolving with Gratitude highlights the vital role of a positive mindset in facing life’s challenges, and Rowell provides insightful and practical ways of moving gratitude from a moment to a habit.
—Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author of Big Potential and The Happiness Advantage

Evolving with Gratitude is the guide every teacher and leader needs to find their true purpose in this work. If we are not intentional and purposeful about the impact we make in our daily lives, it will be very difficult to serve and empower others. In this amazing book, the author teaches us the keys to improving our relationships with students and appreciating our blessings every day.
—Salome Thomas-EL, award-winning principal and author

Brilliantly written and complete with activities, supporting research, and stories from the field, this book will equip you to make a signif- icant impact. Practicing gratitude can positively transform learning environments in ways that can cause a ripple effect.
—Elisabeth Bostwick, award-winning educator and author of Take the L.E.A.P.: Ignite a Culture of Innovation

In Evolving with Gratitude, Lainie Rowell doesn’t only discuss the feel-good emotions linked to gratitude, she also brings in the neuro- science of how our brains change with a regular gratitude practice to back up her claims. Incorporate her pragmatic, simple gratitude strategies and practices, and you’ll find yourself feeling seriously thankful that you read her book.
—Mandy Froehlich, education consultant, Divergent EDU

Lainie Rowell does a masterful job of weaving together story and practice. I found myself reflecting on how I got to this place and, more importantly, how I could walk with more purpose. I highly recommend it not only to educators but to anyone who wants to provide value to those around them.
—Joe Sanfelippo, superintendent, author, and speaker

What a refreshing return to the simple things in life, love, and espe- cially work that will have ripple effects on well-being in our schools and society. Lainie Rowell has been a trailblazer in our space over the last two decades and shows us that innovation—the practical application of ideas to improve or create new goods and services— isn’t very complicated. Equifinality!
—David Miyashiro, EdD, superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District

WOW. This book has expanded my capacity for creative thinking and positive culture. Lainie Rowell and the contributors have given me practical strategies for growing my gratitude and that of others. Gratitude is much more than saying thank you and being polite. This is a must-read to uncover the true magic behind gratitude and how it can unlock our greatest potential.
—Meghan Lawson, educational leader and writer

Evolving with Gratitude reads like a warm blanket on a snowy day. Lainie Rowell combines inspiration and stories, allowing educators to reflect on their life’s journey. With the chaos of life these days, this book provides the proper perspective to keep our eyes up and hearts filled for our true life’s calling.
—Neil Gupta, district administrator

What a beautiful book! I connected to the stories that Lainie and the contributors shared, I delighted in checking out the valuable resources included in the book, and I cannot wait to try out many of the ideas suggested. To wake up every morning grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead is a blessing, and Lainie does a brilliant job describing the benefits of gratitude in an incredibly heartwarm- ing and engaging fashion.
—Allyson Apsey, educational leader, author, speaker

Evolving with Gratitude is the social-emotional GPS for twenty-first-cen- tury leaders who serve. Lainie Rowell seamlessly navigates the real- istic terrain of emotion, fatigue, and legacy with a clear lens that shows us exactly how to embrace the scenery of the journey while circumventing the potholes, detours, and road closures. From devel- oping powerful daily habits to public displays of gratitude, Evolving with Gratitude is a must-read!
—Dr. Mary Hemphill, founder and CEO of The Limitless Leader and Eduprenuer

As someone who practices gratitude, I came upon this book think- ing it would merely reinforce some of my own practices. I had no idea how much more I had to learn! In Evolving with Gratitude, Lainie Rowell combines research and strategies, using her own rich experi- ences. The book is full of insights and ideas from respected thought leaders across the globe. This is a must-read for any educator in any role who cares deeply about our kids and wants to help them connect to the world more positively and gratefully.
—Jennifer Casa-Todd, educator, author, and keynote speaker

Through quotes, research, practical ideas, and stories from edu- cators, Lainie Rowell shares strategies for practicing gratitude that strengthen the neural pathways and increase happiness. I highly recommend Evolving with Gratitude for educators who want to foster a culture of gratitude that empowers kids to be agents of change who make the world a better place.
—Barbara Bray, creative learning strategist, podcast host, and author of Define Your Why

As educational leaders, we are charged with having answers or knowing where to find them. The past two years have been among the most difficult of my twenty-nine years as an educator but have also made me realize the importance of human interaction and grat- itude. Evolving with Gratitude is a reminder that, above all, people and relationships come first.
—Jerry Almendarez, superintendent, Santa Ana USD

Educators who want to show up in the most positive and productive of ways will benefit from reading Evolving with Gratitude. Practical, applicable, accessible—you will love it!
—Amber Teamann, director of technology and innovation, Crandall ISD

Once again, Lainie Rowell proves why she is an up-and-coming star in educational literature. Evolving with Gratitude is a practical, easy-to-read resource for educators who are looking for actionable habits to implement in daily life. Do yourself a favor and add it to your book list!
—Dr. Jared Smith, school superintendent and award-winning author

We are all given a choice in this life to be ungrateful critics or to be intentional in discovering, practicing, and sharing gratitude. Lainie Rowell sets forth not only the case for building gratitude habits but also multiple ways to embed the practice into our everyday lives. One of the greatest gifts of Evolving with Gratitude is modeling the practice with our students. As Lainie shares, “we can empower our kids to be agents of change who make the world a better place.” Evolving with Gratitude is a great place to start!
—Dr. Jill M. Siler, TASA deputy executive director and author of Thrive Through the Five

Lainie delivers an inspiring and practical book to bring gratitude into our learning communities with practices that can be implemented immediately. Stories shared by educators in a variety of roles illus- trate the power of cultivating a culture of authentic gratitude with kids, peers, and the world! You will want to keep this book handy so you can refer to it often for innovative ideas to establish learning environments where all thrive personally and academically. —Thomas C. Murray, director of innovation, Future Ready Schools

List of Contributors 

Livia Chan
Naomi Toland
Jennifer Evans
Katie Novak
Rachelle Dené Poth
Sean Gaillard
Chey Cheney
Pav Wander
Stacey Roshan
Dwight Carter
Katie Martin
Lauren Kaufman
Bobby Pollicino
Paige Couros
Joshua Stamper
George Couros
Stephanie Rothstein
Tisha Richmond
Tara Martin
Brianna Henneke Hodges