This course explores the powerful principles from What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker, focusing on the beliefs and practices that set highly effective educators apart. Through engaging reflection and discussion, participants will examine how great teachers build strong relationships, maintain high expectations for all students, create positive classroom environments, and make intentional decisions that lead to student success. Educators will connect Whitaker’s insights to their own teaching practice while developing practical strategies to strengthen classroom culture, increase student engagement, and enhance their overall impact as educators. This course is designed for teachers who want to reflect on their practice, grow professionally, and walk away with actionable ideas that can be immediately applied in their classrooms.

This course is appropriate for K-8 General education, special education teachers and gifted and talented teachers. Counselors, instructional coaches, and administrators would also benefit from learning more about teacher productivity to better support the teachers in their buildings.

Required Text:

• What Great Teachers Do Differently: Nineteen Things That Matter Most by Todd Whitaker

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Critically analyze and apply research-based principles of effective teaching to enhance instructional practice and improve student learning outcomes.
• Design and implement intentional strategies that cultivate positive, inclusive classroom environments and foster meaningful student relationships that support engagement and academic success.
• Develop and apply differentiated instructional and behavioral approaches that maintain high expectations while addressing the diverse academic and social-emotional needs of learners.
• Engage in reflective practice to evaluate instructional effectiveness and construct a comprehensive professional growth plan aligned with continuous improvement and educator quality standards.