17 Things That Matter Most
Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading motivational speaker in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, and he has spent his life pursuing his love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals. Prior to moving into higher education he was a math teacher and basketball coach in Missouri. Todd then served as a principal at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels. Todd received the President's Medal from Indiana State University (the university's highest award for faculty) in 2013. One of the nation's leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, Todd has written many educational books including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include: Dealing With Difficult Teachers, Teaching Matters, Great Quotes for Great Educators, What Great Principals Do Differently, and Dealing With Difficult Parents.
Introduction 1 Why Look at Great? 2 It's People, Not Programs 3 The Power of Expectations 4 If You Say Something, Mean It 5 Prevention versus Revenge 6 High Expectations-for Whom? 7 Who Is the Variable? 8 Focus on Students First 9 Ten Days Out of Ten 10 Be the Filter 11 Don't Need to Repair-Always Do Repair 12 The Ability to Ignore 13 Random or Plandom? 14 Base Every Decision on the Best People 15 In Every Situation, Ask Who Is Most Comfortable and Who Is Least Comfortable 16 Put Yourself in Their Position 17 What About These Darn Standardized Tests? 18 Make It Cool to Care 19 Clarify Your Core Seventeen Things That Matter Most References