TODD WHITAKER
Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter 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 the University of Missouri and professor emeritus at Indiana State University. 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. He was also a middle school coordinator in charge of staffing, curriculum, and technology for the opening of new middle schools.
One of the nation's leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, Todd has written over 50 books including the national best seller, What Great Teachers Do Differently. Other titles include: Dealing With Difficult Teachers, Ten-Minute Inservice, Your First Year, What Great Principals Do Differently, Motivating & Inspiring Teachers, and Dealing With Difficult Parents. Todd is married to Beth, also a former teacher and principal, who is currently a faculty member of educational leadership at the University of Missouri and professor emeritus at Indiana State University. They are the parents of three children; Katherine, Madeline, and Harrison.
What great leaders do differently
We will be focusing and center on specific things that the best leaders do that others do not. This is so essential because everything comes down to leadership. When things go well it is the leader. When things do not go so well it is the leader. The session will center on the specific things that separates the very best leaders from everyone else.
Great leaders make every decision based on the best people in an organization. The very best people have a big picture focus and they want everyone to be successful. Others often want themselves to be successful without as much consideration to others and the organization. Great leaders as also visionary and highly effective communicators. Additionally they differentiate how they lead based on situation, circumstance and the people involved. They also understand that the key to having a great school is people, not programs.