Todd Whitaker

From lesson planning to classroom management these reader friendly and inspiring books, focussed on teacher development, will provide practical guidance from education professionals with decades of classroom experience. What Great Teachers Do Differently (9780367344641) asks what are the beliefs and behaviors that set great teachers apart? In this internationally renowned bestseller, Todd Whitaker reveals 19 keys to becoming more effective in the classroom. Your First Year: How to Survive and Thrive as a New Teacher (9781032281247) offers step-by-step guidance to help you thrive in your new role, develop classroom management skills, and overcome the challenges that many new teachers face.Classroom Management from the Ground Up (9781138552319) Whether you are a new or experienced teacher, this book will empower you to identify what is going well, adjust what needs to be changed, and feel more prepared for the unexpected. What Great Teachers Do Differently – Study Guide (9780367550004) The guide features a variety of strategies and activities that will help teachers apply the book’s concepts to their own classroom situation.With their useful and inspiring content, these books will provide the essential resources you need when starting or progressing your professional teaching career.

Support, celebrate, and grow your best teachers so that they stay in your school and continue to have maximum impact. Burnout and teacher turnover are on the rise, yet we often spend more of our energy on the underperformers. In this powerful book from bestselling authors Todd Whitaker, Connie Hamilton, Joseph Jones, and T.J. Vari, you'll learn why it’s crucial to recognize your best teachers, going beyond superficial gestures of appreciation and investing in them in deeper ways.The authors show school leaders how to identify their best teachers and then reveal strategies for supporting them, including recognizing the value-cost of teachers’ time; prioritizing appreciation; controlling the narrative; tailoring professional learning; helping teachers grow through peer observations as well as beyond the school; applying data informed feedback; and nurturing self- and collective-efficacy. Each chapter begins with a powerful story, an overview of our blind spots, strategies on what we should invest in, and how to ensure that the whole school profits from your efforts. There’s also an Initial Deposits feature that provides a quick, tangible way to get started with each idea.With the helpful models, tips, and tricks in this book, you won’t just be inspired to make a change but will be well equipped to take action. As your best teachers get better-and-better, your students and the entire school culture will benefit!

Looking for a powerful, unique way to engage your staff or team? This parable from best-selling author Todd Whitaker offers a refreshingly different form of professional development. It is a beautifully designed short story about a veteran teacher who reconnects with a former student who manages her local grocery store which has fallen on hard times. They reunite and confront the separate and unique challenges that have knocked them off course. Through each other, they find their way back on track with a message that will resonate with everyone. Use the book to kick off meetings with your school or organization, or as a thank-you gift to your fellow leaders. The tale will help your staff reengage with their prioritizes and consider what they value most, while feeling inspired along the way. The new edition is accompanied by a robust study guide that will help you and your teams get the most out of the book.

This school leader’s edition of Dealing with Difficult Parents is designed to help you with the specific challenges you face as a school leader when dealing with parents.The companion teacher's edition shows your teachers and other educators how they can communicate with parents more effectively. But with this administrator’s version, you’ll learn how you, as a leader, can—and must—support and coach teachers along the way.You’ll uncover how to . . . Make sure your teachers understand the families they’re dealing with;Help your teachers communicate effectively with parents by being positive and proactive, so problems don’t escalate to the main office;Establish expectations for dealing with parents, so teachers understand how to be appropriate even when a parent is not;Deal with challenging situations when the teacher is difficult or the teacher is in the wrong;Ensure your teachers feel supported by you when they’re dealing with difficult parents; andHelp teachers become more confident and empowered in challenging situations. With these practical books, you’ll be able to get parents on your side so they can become a positive force in your school’s success.

This school leader’s edition of Dealing with Difficult Parents is designed to help you with the specific challenges you face as a school leader when dealing with parents.The companion teacher's edition shows your teachers and other educators how they can communicate with parents more effectively. But with this administrator’s version, you’ll learn how you, as a leader, can—and must—support and coach teachers along the way.You’ll uncover how to . . . Make sure your teachers understand the families they’re dealing with;Help your teachers communicate effectively with parents by being positive and proactive, so problems don’t escalate to the main office;Establish expectations for dealing with parents, so teachers understand how to be appropriate even when a parent is not;Deal with challenging situations when the teacher is difficult or the teacher is in the wrong;Ensure your teachers feel supported by you when they’re dealing with difficult parents; andHelp teachers become more confident and empowered in challenging situations. With these practical books, you’ll be able to get parents on your side so they can become a positive force in your school’s success.

Communicating with parents is one of the most challenging and potentially stressful tasks that educators face daily. Whether trying to resolve a heated argument or delivering bad news, it is essential to know how to handle difficult situations and establish positive relationships with your students’ parents. In this updated third edition of the bestselling book Dealing with Difficult Parents, award-winning educators Todd Whitaker and Douglas J. Fiore help you develop a repertoire of tools and skills for comfortable and effective interaction with parents.The book’s features include:How to get parents off our backs and on our sides;Why and how today’s parents are different yet the same;How the pandemic and the political environment make our jobs more challenging;Numerous additional examples of specific ways, language, and approaches to effectively work with parents;Tools to help you understand parents’ motivations and how to work with them rather than against them;Detailed scripts for dealing with even the most stubborn and volatile parents; andStrategies on initiating contact with parents to build positive credibility.This must-read book will equip you with the skills you need to expertly navigate even the most challenging encounters with parents and walk away feeling that you have made a positive and meaningful impact.

Communicating with parents is one of the most challenging and potentially stressful tasks that educators face daily. Whether trying to resolve a heated argument or delivering bad news, it is essential to know how to handle difficult situations and establish positive relationships with your students’ parents. In this updated third edition of the bestselling book Dealing with Difficult Parents, award-winning educators Todd Whitaker and Douglas J. Fiore help you develop a repertoire of tools and skills for comfortable and effective interaction with parents.The book’s features include:How to get parents off our backs and on our sides;Why and how today’s parents are different yet the same;How the pandemic and the political environment make our jobs more challenging;Numerous additional examples of specific ways, language, and approaches to effectively work with parents;Tools to help you understand parents’ motivations and how to work with them rather than against them;Detailed scripts for dealing with even the most stubborn and volatile parents; andStrategies on initiating contact with parents to build positive credibility.This must-read book will equip you with the skills you need to expertly navigate even the most challenging encounters with parents and walk away feeling that you have made a positive and meaningful impact.

Every student deserves a high-impact, well-qualified, and governance-driven school board. In this helpful book, bestselling authors Ryan Donlan and Todd Whitaker show you as a school board member how to make smart, worthwhile decisions that will lead to positive change in your district. The School Board Member’s Guidebook addresses the challenges of making realistic choices that will truly benefit the school and have a lasting impact. Topics include: • How to work and communicate effectively with the superintendent during the year; How to rise above contentious issues, while still showing you care about people’s viewpoints; • How to represent the interests and needs of the community at large; • How to keep your constituencies focused and informed through strategic planning and structured committee participation; and • How to host constructive and cordial school board meetings. Each chapter offers strategies, tips, and sample scenarios. In addition, this timely second edition features a new chapter on the roles and challenges of the board president. With the resources and the practical advice throughout the book, you’ll be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of every student in your district.

Every student deserves a high-impact, well-qualified, and governance-driven school board. In this helpful book, bestselling authors Ryan Donlan and Todd Whitaker show you as a school board member how to make smart, worthwhile decisions that will lead to positive change in your district. The School Board Member’s Guidebook addresses the challenges of making realistic choices that will truly benefit the school and have a lasting impact. Topics include: • How to work and communicate effectively with the superintendent during the year; How to rise above contentious issues, while still showing you care about people’s viewpoints; • How to represent the interests and needs of the community at large; • How to keep your constituencies focused and informed through strategic planning and structured committee participation; and • How to host constructive and cordial school board meetings. Each chapter offers strategies, tips, and sample scenarios. In addition, this timely second edition features a new chapter on the roles and challenges of the board president. With the resources and the practical advice throughout the book, you’ll be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of every student in your district.

Learn how to turn your school board members into heroes by helping them make smart, worthwhile decisions they will deserve to brag about. In this much-needed book, Ryan Donlan and Todd Whitaker offer practical strategies to help superintendents develop better working relationships with their boards. You’ll discover how to: · Reconnect board members to the real purpose of education, despite their personal agendas; · Work with your board more effectively during meetings and at times in between; · Guide board members into more productive roles when they overreach beyond policymaking; and · Connect and communicate with board members regardless of personal disposition. Each chapter contains hero-making tips to help you get started. In addition, this timely second edition features a new chapter on navigating the superintendent/Board President relationship. With this practical book, you’ll be able to overcome the challenges of the superintendent–board relationship so that your board can make better decisions for those who matter most—the students.

Learn how to turn your school board members into heroes by helping them make smart, worthwhile decisions they will deserve to brag about. In this much-needed book, Ryan Donlan and Todd Whitaker offer practical strategies to help superintendents develop better working relationships with their boards. You’ll discover how to: · Reconnect board members to the real purpose of education, despite their personal agendas; · Work with your board more effectively during meetings and at times in between; · Guide board members into more productive roles when they overreach beyond policymaking; and · Connect and communicate with board members regardless of personal disposition. Each chapter contains hero-making tips to help you get started. In addition, this timely second edition features a new chapter on navigating the superintendent/Board President relationship. With this practical book, you’ll be able to overcome the challenges of the superintendent–board relationship so that your board can make better decisions for those who matter most—the students.

Discover the secrets of exceptional teaching with this comprehensive two-book bundle featuring Todd Whitaker's influential bestseller What Great Teachers Do Differently and its companion study guide. This powerful combination delivers both inspiration and practical implementation of strategies for educators at all levels. The main text reveals the 19 key practices that distinguish outstanding teachers, presented with Whitaker's trademark clarity and insight. The accompanying study guide transforms these principles into actionable steps, providing reflection questions, implementation activities, and collaborative discussion prompts that deepen understanding and application. Perfect for individual professional development, teacher training programs, or school-wide improvement initiatives, this bundle offers great value for educators committed to elevating their practice and maximizing student success. This bundle contains What Great Teachers Do Differently – Todd Whitaker 9780367344641 and What Great Teachers Do Differently Study Guide – Todd Whitaker 9780367550004

There are dramatic differences in the quality of teachers in every school. Every building has teachers who consistently engage students and deliver high-quality instruction. Every building also has teachers with varying ranges of ability. If all teachers could be more like the best teachers, then we would have significant improvement in every school.In this important book, Todd Whitaker demonstrates how this can really be achieved. With inspiration, humor, and practical advice, Whitaker shares the qualities of the best teachers and how we can teach these qualities to others. He shows how the best teachers emphasize the learning relationship; focus only on what they can influence; and use effective classroom management involving filtering, proximity, redirection, and business mode. He then explains how we can coach other teachers by showing, not telling; by creating subcultures and learning experiences; and by leading the way. Finally, Whitaker describes the importance of hiring highly talented people who form new lines rather than fall in line. He provides strategies for asking the right interview questions, for choosing the right mentors, and for selecting the best hosts for student teachers.No matter how education changes, there are always outstanding teachers making a difference. We can grow our schools by helping even more teachers become exceptional.

There are dramatic differences in the quality of teachers in every school. Every building has teachers who consistently engage students and deliver high-quality instruction. Every building also has teachers with varying ranges of ability. If all teachers could be more like the best teachers, then we would have significant improvement in every school.In this important book, Todd Whitaker demonstrates how this can really be achieved. With inspiration, humor, and practical advice, Whitaker shares the qualities of the best teachers and how we can teach these qualities to others. He shows how the best teachers emphasize the learning relationship; focus only on what they can influence; and use effective classroom management involving filtering, proximity, redirection, and business mode. He then explains how we can coach other teachers by showing, not telling; by creating subcultures and learning experiences; and by leading the way. Finally, Whitaker describes the importance of hiring highly talented people who form new lines rather than fall in line. He provides strategies for asking the right interview questions, for choosing the right mentors, and for selecting the best hosts for student teachers.No matter how education changes, there are always outstanding teachers making a difference. We can grow our schools by helping even more teachers become exceptional.

What needs to be improved at your school? In this essential new book, Todd Whitaker and Courtney Monterecy provide a clear roadmap to making the changes that will bring lasting benefits to your students and staff, whether those changes are small tweaks or larger overhauls.You’ll learn step-by-step ways to diagnose the issues and listen to your staff about what needs to change, to hire more effectively and improve the teachers you have, to implement structures and coaching to address student behavior, and to communicate before you need to. Whitaker and Monterecy also show you how to grow as a leader by making time for what only you can do, by developing other leaders within the building, and by always communicating your why. Each chapter is filled with helpful strategies and inspiring true stories.With this book's wisdom and practical takeaways, you will have the courage and know-how to implement the important changes your students truly deserve.

What needs to be improved at your school? In this essential new book, Todd Whitaker and Courtney Monterecy provide a clear roadmap to making the changes that will bring lasting benefits to your students and staff, whether those changes are small tweaks or larger overhauls.You’ll learn step-by-step ways to diagnose the issues and listen to your staff about what needs to change, to hire more effectively and improve the teachers you have, to implement structures and coaching to address student behavior, and to communicate before you need to. Whitaker and Monterecy also show you how to grow as a leader by making time for what only you can do, by developing other leaders within the building, and by always communicating your why. Each chapter is filled with helpful strategies and inspiring true stories.With this book's wisdom and practical takeaways, you will have the courage and know-how to implement the important changes your students truly deserve.

Support, celebrate, and grow your best teachers so that they stay in your school and continue to have maximum impact. Burnout and teacher turnover are on the rise, yet we often spend more of our energy on the underperformers. In this powerful book from bestselling authors Todd Whitaker, Connie Hamilton, Joseph Jones, and T.J. Vari, you'll learn why it’s crucial to recognize your best teachers, going beyond superficial gestures of appreciation and investing in them in deeper ways.The authors show school leaders how to identify their best teachers and then reveal strategies for supporting them, including recognizing the value-cost of teachers’ time; prioritizing appreciation; controlling the narrative; tailoring professional learning; helping teachers grow through peer observations as well as beyond the school; applying data informed feedback; and nurturing self- and collective-efficacy. Each chapter begins with a powerful story, an overview of our blind spots, strategies on what we should invest in, and how to ensure that the whole school profits from your efforts. There’s also an Initial Deposits feature that provides a quick, tangible way to get started with each idea.With the helpful models, tips, and tricks in this book, you won’t just be inspired to make a change but will be well equipped to take action. As your best teachers get better-and-better, your students and the entire school culture will benefit!

Your school is a lot more than a center of student learning—it represents a self-contained culture with traditions and expectations that reflect its unique mission and demographics.In School Culture Rewired, education experts Steve Gruenert and Todd Whitaker offer strategies and advice for defining, assessing, and transforming your school's culture into one that is positive, productive, and actively working to enrich students' lives.Drawing from decades of research on organizational cultures and school leadership, the authors provide everything you need to optimize both the culture and climate of your school. In this revised and retooled second edition of their bestselling book, Gruenert and WhitakerExplore the difference between school culture and school climate.Show how to ensure developmentally appropriate culture change.Contrast collaborative and toxic school cultures.Address the symbiotic relationship between culture management and leadership.* Present a framework for pinpointing the type of culture you have, the type you want, and how to bridge the two.Though often invisible to the naked eye, a school's culture influences everything that takes place under its roof. Whether your school is urban or rural, proficient or struggling, School Culture Rewired helps you make sure its culture is guided by what's best for your students.

Learn all the essentials for making your first year of teaching a success! In this bestselling book, renowned educators Todd Whitaker, Madeline Whitaker Good, and Katherine Whitaker offer step-by-step guidance to thriving in your new role, developing classroom management skills, and overcoming the challenges that many beginning teachers face.In a practical, reader-friendly style, the Whitakers help you learn how to establish procedures and rules, build relationships, maintain high expectations and consistency, and manage your own emotions in the classroom. They also show how to plan effective lessons and how to work with peers, administrators, and parents to foster collaboration. Each chapter offers specific examples and vignettes from different grade levels. This updated edition contains additional guidance on classroom management and dealing with challenging student behavior, two areas that can affect job satisfaction. Importantly, you’ll learn how to make tweaks or hit the "reset" button when something isn’t going as planned. In addition, there is also a special new feature called "Think About…," which helps you reflect on how you will consider topics such as representation and inclusion as they pertain to your classroom. You can use these reflection questions independently or with a mentor or new-teacher colleague. New teachers are special and needed, and the practical advice in this book will provide valuable support for your professional and personal journey.

Learn all the essentials for making your first year of teaching a success! In this bestselling book, renowned educators Todd Whitaker, Madeline Whitaker Good, and Katherine Whitaker offer step-by-step guidance to thriving in your new role, developing classroom management skills, and overcoming the challenges that many beginning teachers face.In a practical, reader-friendly style, the Whitakers help you learn how to establish procedures and rules, build relationships, maintain high expectations and consistency, and manage your own emotions in the classroom. They also show how to plan effective lessons and how to work with peers, administrators, and parents to foster collaboration. Each chapter offers specific examples and vignettes from different grade levels. This updated edition contains additional guidance on classroom management and dealing with challenging student behavior, two areas that can affect job satisfaction. Importantly, you’ll learn how to make tweaks or hit the "reset" button when something isn’t going as planned. In addition, there is also a special new feature called "Think About…," which helps you reflect on how you will consider topics such as representation and inclusion as they pertain to your classroom. You can use these reflection questions independently or with a mentor or new-teacher colleague. New teachers are special and needed, and the practical advice in this book will provide valuable support for your professional and personal journey.