Reviewed by Laurie Wasserman, NBCT
Grade 6 Learning Disabilities
Andrews Middle School
Medford, Massachusetts

What Great Teachers Do Differently,also written by Todd Whitaker, is another easy-to-read yet very
practical book to guide teachers to great teaching practices. This
newly released set includes the book, a two-hour DVD that popular
education author Rick Wormeli says is “packed with substance,” and a
facilitator’s guide for group study of the videos (11 clips lasting
about 10 minutes each).

Whitaker divides the book into 15 short chapters. The set-up of the book makes
it easy to pick a chapter for advice “on demand,” and its compact
presentation also gives us the option of reading the entire book in one
sitting when we need a booster shot for the coming week.

Whitaker creates scenarios that help us understand how we can deal with
difficult situations both in our classrooms and in our relationships
with colleagues. His favorite phrase, “I am sorry that happened,” is a
simple sentence we can use in dealing with upset or angry students –
and with adults, including parents. He shares stories from his days as
a principal that illustrate effective ways to defuse irate students and
parents, while making us laugh and nod our heads as we relate to his
accurate descriptions. Although I’ve been a special education teacher
for many years, I found his advice about dealing with misbehaving
students in ways that can prevent the misbehavior from occurring again
especially valuable.

Whitaker touches on several controversial topics, including the pressures we
feel in a high-stakes accountability environment and how we can keep
standardized testing in perspective. There are also ideas about how to
stay comfortable in uncomfortable situations, and how to create a
filter for ourselves. When we are able to “filter out our negative
energy and mak(e) our students feel we want to be there,” he says, “our
students will reflect that positive energy back to us.” And here’s a
wonderful quote: ”Great teachers want their students to be more excited
about learning tomorrow than they are today.”

The collection of video clips on the DVD supplement and highlight the text
in a very engaging way. It’s a great resource for a New Teacher
Induction Day, a Professional Development Day or a mid-year faculty
meeting where teachers may need a little professional pick-me-up. Also
included is a Facilitator’s Guide that can be used as part of a faculty
or personal book study. It provides opportunities to self-reflect on
our teaching practices, points out ways we can help one another by
sharing what’s working well in our classrooms and encourages us to
collaborate and provide collegial support for one another.

My favorite part of both the book and the DVD is Whitaker’s story, “Making
It Cool to Care.” I won’t spoil his narrative effect, but be prepared
to shed a tear as he reflects on how he taught an entire faculty to
give their hearts, as well as their minds, to their students.

If you’re a new or veteran teacher looking for guidance and inspiration, pick up a copy of What Great Teachers Do Differently (which is also available in a stand-alone edition).