Parents
Books, talks, podcasts, and research that reflect how we think about learning, chosen for the families and educators in our community. Bookmark this page. We'll keep adding resources as the year goes on.
Arizona State University
Universal Learner Courses
Dual Credit & ASU Enrollment
Choose a course from ASU's live catalog, register, activate your student's ASURITE, and send us the username. Our step-by-step page walks you through it, with direct links and clear costs.
Learning & Teaching Resources
A curated collection of books, TED Talks, podcasts, articles, and educational research that reflect the philosophy behind Valor Heights and CompletED.
Section 01 · Parents & Families
At Valor Heights, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. These resources reflect ideas that inspire our approach to adolescent development, meaningful learning, parenting, creativity, and raising capable, confident young people.
BookTechnology & Mental Health
Jonathan Haidt
Explores how smartphones, social media, and changes in childhood experiences are affecting the mental health and development of young people.
BookUnderstanding Adolescents
John Medina
An engaging look at how the teenage brain develops and what parents and educators can do to better understand, support, and motivate adolescents.
BookCharacter & Perseverance
Angela Duckworth
Explores the importance of passion, sustained effort, resilience, and perseverance in achieving meaningful goals.
TED TalkRethinking Education
Sir Ken Robinson
Challenges traditional approaches to schooling and encourages education that nurtures creativity, individuality, and human potential.
TED TalkRelationships & Mentorship
Rita Pierson
A powerful reminder that meaningful relationships, encouragement, and connection are essential to helping children thrive.
TED TalkKindness & Character
Orly Wahba
Educator and Life Vest Inside founder Orly Wahba shares how weaving kindness, love, and respect into everyday life shapes who students become, in the classroom and beyond it.
PodcastParenting & Emotional Development
Dr. Becky Kennedy
Practical, compassionate parenting strategies that emphasize emotional understanding, strong relationships, and healthy boundaries.
GuideAdolescent Montessori Education
American Montessori Society
An introduction to Montessori education for middle and high school students, emphasizing independence, meaningful work, personal responsibility, community, and real-world learning.
Section 02 · Educators
At Valor Heights, we believe exceptional teaching requires curiosity, creativity, connection, and a commitment to continuous learning. These resources reflect our approach to student-centered education, adolescent development, authentic learning experiences, and helping students become independent, thoughtful, capable individuals.
ResearchPlayful Learning & Creativity
Harvard Project Zero
Research and practical teaching resources exploring how purposeful play, experimentation, curiosity, and student choice encourage deeper learning.
ResearchThinking Routines & Inquiry
Harvard Project Zero
A collection of practical classroom strategies that make students' thinking visible and strengthen reasoning, questioning, reflection, and deeper understanding.
FrameworkAuthentic & Experiential Learning
PBLWorks
A practical framework for designing meaningful projects that incorporate inquiry, student voice, collaboration, reflection, and authentic real-world challenges.
ResearchStudent Agency & Creative Problem-Solving
Harvard Project Zero
Research and teaching strategies that encourage students to understand complex systems, think independently, create solutions, and recognize their ability to make meaningful change.
GuideAdolescent-Centered Education
American Montessori Society
Explores Montessori's approach to adolescent learning through independence, purposeful work, self-direction, community responsibility, and experiential education.
Our Philosophy
At Valor Heights, we believe meaningful education is rooted in curiosity, connection, independence, and purpose. These resources represent ideas that inspire our educational philosophy and our ongoing commitment to helping young people learn, grow, and thrive.
These are recommended resources, not required reading. Their inclusion reflects ideas we find valuable, not necessarily endorsement of every viewpoint expressed by their authors.
Book covers, photographs, artwork, and logos belong to their respective publishers and organizations and are shown to identify each resource.