The Minimalist Teacher, ASCD Publications
A New Approach to Your School Year as an Educator
Focus on decluttering school initiatives, your classroom, your curriculum, your instruction and/or assessment

Reviews of The Minimalist Teacher

"Tammy Musiowsky-Borneman and C. Y. Arnold offer a wonderfully refreshing look at how teachers can maximize their efforts and benefit their students. Their “Minimalist Approach” is, in fact, something we should all do: Determine our purpose, establish our priorities, and pare our resources (and activities) as we move forward. “Decluttering initiatives,” for example, is a good way to look at focusing our efforts. With materials, curriculum, and efforts, as they note, more is not always better! In fact, often more isn’t better at all.
Teaching is both remarkably gratifying and remarkably tiring (and the pandemic has only increased teachers’ stress and efforts). But this Minimalist Approach offers a new and simpler way to look at how teachers teach and assess. Reading this book is not going to be as calming as going to a spa, but it may come close. Throughout the book, their thoughts draw from and offer myriad resources, and include helpful checklists, but what comes through the strongest is that this represents the wise advice of two talented, experienced, and caring educators. I highly recommend this book!"
- Dr. Tom Hoerr, ASCD Author, St. Louis

"“The Minimalist Teacher,” is an excellent read built on a powerful concept. As teachers and educators in general, we easily become overwhelmed with all the things that come with educating students. This book perfectly frames how to “declutter” to get to the heart of our collective work: supporting students effectively, efficiently and passionately. From intro to the subsequent chapters, Tammy and C.Y. introduce not to just getting rid of “things,” i.e. curriculum, initiatives, stuff. They walk readers through carefully tailored processes to ideate, identify, declutter and create positive learning environments. An early point of power is the early acknowledgement that minimalism can and should be done in a way that acknowledges culture and centers equity.  For readers, who’s journey becomes more overwhelming due to the urgency, you do not have to read the book straight through, you can find the chapter that is just for you. The authors do not just leave you hanging with great ideas to begin decluttering, the lists of tools and resources to support the journey are tremendously helpful. One of the best parts is the questions and prompts that guide the work in developing a minimalist culture in the classroom can be applied to our lives as well. “The Minimalist Teacher” is a gem. I am excited to see how we all uncover the minimalist teacher in each of us."
- Dr. Chaunte Garrett, Superintendent, North Carolina

"What really resonates with me from The Minimalist Teacher is that there are concepts there for every teacher to utilize in making decisions that will help them minimize the noise from the clutter around them and focus on finding meaning in those things we deem to be essential to the work of teaching. Whether we are decluttering physical space (something that is always a personal challenge for me), or decluttering from the multitude of initiatives we see each year as educators, the framework provided by the authors to facilitate decisions around what we keep and what we pass on is something that every educator, veteran or beginning, can internalize and implement immediately. This thoughtful approach to minimalism in the classroom has something for everyone."
-Robert Abney, Education Consultant, New Mexico

"As educators, it is imperative that start to shift to a minimalist approach in our teaching models.  The Minimalist Teacher addresses the complexities that teachers face when it comes to following through with the necessary steps required to reduce teacher burnout and exhaustion in the profession. In order for educators to be true agents of change, the process of decluttering must occur, and instruction and assessments must become trauma informed and culturally competent. Each chapter unpacks core principles, includes real educational vignettes, practical and realistic takeaways, and reflective questions that help educators to take the next steps towards minimalizing their practices. This is the perfect book and resource for every educator that is serious about fostering inclusive learning environments for all students!"
- Dr. Basil Marin, HS Assistant Principal/DEI Consultant, Atlanta, GA

Podcast Conversations

SELinEDU with Krista Leh and Craig Martin, a PASCD Podcast: COMING SOON
BAM Radio with Anthony Rebora: Listen here
Wired Educator Podcast with Kelly Croy: Listen Here
Language Lounge Podcast with Michelle Olah: Listen Here
Video podcast with Author of Safe, Seen and Stretched, Julie Hasson - Watch here
Digital Learning Radio - Inspired by The Minimalist Teacher: Listen here
NHASCD Podcast: Listen here
VASCD Short Podcast: Listen here 
VASCD Deeper Insights Podcast: Listen here
​Conversation with Sue Min: Listen here

Other Publications

Virginia ASCD Winter 2023 Journal:
Pennsylvania ASCD Summer 2023 Journal:
Educational Leadership Summer 2022 Magazine: Clearing "Waste" From Classrooms
ASCD Blog: How to be a Minimalist Teacher
ASCD Express: Create a Minimalist Mindset in Times of Crises
Pakistan ASCD The Reformer Magazine: Can Student Choice Promote Agency?