JOY!

“In JOY! Growing Strong Through Your Season of Life as a Teacher and Leader, author Timothy Kanold offers an eloquent and heartfelt invitation to educators and leaders to rediscover and sustain the joy that energizes their professional and personal lives. Building on the brilliance of HEART! and SOUL!, this book masterfully weaves the metaphor of the four seasons into a rich narrative that mirrors the rhythms of a school year. Through inspiring ideas, personal stories, and impactful strategies, Kanold encourages readers to keep joy at the heart of their work and lives. Whether you are beginning your journey or have navigated many seasons, the reflections prompt you to pause, reconnect with your purpose, and reimagine your joy journey. Both inspiring and practical, JOY! is an essential guide for anyone committed to truly thriving in education.”

“Timothy Kanold’s JOY! is the perfect companion to his two previous highly popular books, HEART! and SOUL! Using the seasons of the year to frame the role joy plays in our lives, this book is more than inspiring—Each “season” provides encouragement and suggestions for seeking joy in our own lives, both personally and professionally. Like Kanold’s previous books, readers are sure to find this latest book to be pure JOY!”

“JOY! inspires and transforms. It made me think, reflect, and consider joy in ways I never had before, encouraging me to find joy even in the simplest and most routine parts of life. I love how honest and real it is, framed with relatable stories that connect deeply to both the heart and mind. This book doesn’t just describe joy; it shows how to embrace and sustain it through life’s rhythms. Practical, heartfelt, and profoundly inspiring, it is a must-read for anyone seeking to nurture joy in their personal and professional journey.”

“Teaching is an arduous, demanding, life-changing profession. Educators can struggle—personally and professionally—when the challenges of the work become overwhelming. In this perfect closing act to his HEART! and SOUL! trilogy, Timothy Kanold shares how we can create joy in our lives through the challenges of our work, not in spite of them. JOY! provides a practical pathway to personal well-being.”

“JOY! is a remarkable book that captures the essence of embracing joy amidst life's complexities, especially in the field of education. Its seasonal framework provides a relatable and actionable pathway to sustained joy. The heartfelt and authentic stories offer humor, hope, and deep emotional resonance, such as the touching Naz chapter, which brought me to tears. Educators, often overwhelmed by expectations, will find this book particularly grounding with its practical strategies, relatable experiences, and reminders of the importance of reflection and relationships. Each chapter is perfectly sized to fit into a busy schedule, making it an ideal companion for those seeking joy amidst life’s busyness. With refreshing candor and insightful perspectives, JOY! inspires readers to embrace the beauty of their current ‘season’ and discover enduring joy.”

“In JOY!, author Timothy Kanold has written a concluding masterpiece to his educator empowerment and professional wellness series that includes HEART! and SOUL! JOY! builds off these great works but also stands alone as a guide for educators as they navigate the changing ‘seasons’ of the school year. Educators will find various themes, including connection, relationships, stories, purpose, reflection, vision and wellness. Through its insightful passages, stories, prompts and opportunities for reflection, JOY! will resonate with all educators and leaders. This book provides a unique literary experience, where the reader learns to cultivate joy in their personal and professional lives through a deep reflection of, and draft plan towards, their own joy journey.”

“JOY! is a beautifully crafted guide that blends heartfelt personal stories with research-based practices to support educators in nurturing their well-being. Organized by the seasons, this book offers a unique structure that mirrors the natural ebb and flow of the school year, making it easy to follow sequentially or dip into for inspiration as needed. Whether you’re looking to reflect on renewal in spring, embrace growth in summer, navigate change in autumn, or find rest in winter, this book meets you where you are. Its balance of relatable anecdotes and practical strategies makes it an indispensable resource for educators seeking to thrive both personally and professionally.”

“In a time when having a career in education sometimes can feel incredibly stressful, JOY! is a breath of fresh air. Author Timothy Kanold forces you to recognize and appreciate those moments of joy by providing ways to connect to your experiences and stories. There are so many great strategies and thought-provoking wisdom to take away that will help you maximize joy in your personal and professional lives. It is truly fun to read this book because of the positive way it will make you feel as you reflect on and acknowledge all that is in your life.”

“Author Timothy Kanold continues the HEART! and SOUL! journey with his latest book, JOY! As I read the compelling stories and completed the MY Joy spaces throughout the book, I was continually reminded of how important it is to choose joy—not just for myself, but also for those I serve. Kanold’s storytelling and emotional insights illustrate how to create and foster joy during each season of the school year and how to steer clear of joy vampires. This is a must-read on your joy journey!”

“JOY! is a delightful experience that will help any educator unlock the secrets to increased resilience and deeper levels of fulfillment. Timothy Kanold’s wisdom unfolds through personal stories and intentional reflection. Each chapter culminates with an interactive exercise to set the reader on their path to sustain joy throughout the school seasons. Reading JOY! is like having a personal coach to help navigate educators’ challenges to renew a sense of passion and purpose. I highly recommend binge-reading it first and then using it as a weekly reflection journal—a must-read for educator wellness and sustainability.”

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“JOY! guides the reader through a series of reflective exercises in pursuit of the simple joy that, when nurtured, can replace the relentless cacophony of distractions in our lives with a soothing soundtrack of centeredness. The book is written in such a way that it can be started on any page, depending on the season and the needs of the reader. JOY! is the perfect capstone to the HEART! and SOUL! collection.”

“As educators, it can be so easy to lose sight of the passion that first drew us to this work. That’s why I was so moved by JOY! Author Timothy Kanold’s unique approach to reigniting that spark offers inspiring stories and practical strategies to keep readers connected to what originally drew them to education. It reminded me of why I originally chose this profession and filled me with a renewed sense of purpose. This book is a must-read for every educator who wants to find renewed purpose and joy in their work!”

“Now more than ever, JOY! is a necessary text and must-read for all educators—each of us who has chosen the education profession. Author Timothy Kanold creates a neuroscience- and research-affirmed pathway to sustained joy throughout all seasons of one’s life as an educator. The book highlights how joy can become an internal, intentional pursuit and weave its way through the tapestry of your daily life. Let’s begin reading!”

“A school year is often described by educators as an exhilarating roller-coaster ride—full of highs, lows, and unexpected twists. In JOY!, Timothy Kanold reminds us that, just as those who ride an actual roller coaster find joy in the laughter and memories it brings, educators too must seek and embrace joy in their work with students and colleagues. With grace and insight, Kanold emphasizes that each season of the school year offers unique opportunities for joy, and it’s up to us to intentionally seize them.”

“Timothy Kanold’s JOY! is a masterfully written accompaniment to his previous work in HEART! and SOUL! By combining a mix of personal stories from over fifty years as an educator with the neuroscience of wellness, Kanold offers educators tools to navigate the various seasons of each school year and professional career with dignity and fulfillment. In an era when educators are navigating unprecedented challenges, this book serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. It reminds us that the work of teaching and leading is not just about standards and outcomes—it’s about humanity, connection, and purpose—those things that bring us JOY! Kanold’s compassionate and authentic voice makes this book a must-read for anyone committed to the profession of education.”

“Every educator should have a copy of Timothy Kanold’s JOY! within reach as they navigate the complex, nuanced, and sometimes overwhelming seasons of their work. This inspiring book is filled with poignant storytelling, thoughtful reflection, and practical strategies that are all masterfully woven together to create an interactive guide that challenges and inspires educators to embrace the continuous journey of choosing a life filled with enduring purpose and most importantly, JOY!”

“In JOY!, Timothy Kanold writes, ‘Joy is an internal action, walking through life because of the good, and despite the difficult circumstances we live within.’ I agree that the intentional internal act of choosing joy connects us and helps us cultivate a mindset of simple joy. I am deeply grateful as a person and professional that Kanold calls us back to finding meaning and purpose in the small ordinary aspects of our personal and professional lives. My heart is overjoyed with what is to come for our care as educators and our community as learners as we choose to grow in each season, inspiring all students and igniting a passion for teaching and leading once again.”

“In JOY!, Timothy Kanold writes with the warmth of a friend and the wisdom of a mentor, sharing compelling stories that pull you in and gently prompt simple, yet profound reflection. Clearly a reflection of his own joy, this timely book is an infectious read that guides us through rediscovering our purpose, balance, and the joy available inside each one of us!”