PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — As evaluations and commentary pour in, it is increasingly evident that public seminars hosted by Staff Development for Educators (SDE) featuring education luminary Todd Whitaker, PhD are a big hit with K-12 teachers and principals. Not only have the workshops been filled to capacity, they have also generated glowing testimonials from attendees.
In late November, 2012, on a tour of Georgia and Louisiana, Dr. Whitaker presented two SDE seminars: What Great Teachers Do Differently and What Great Principals Do Differently.
Based on his best-selling book, What Great Teachers Do Differently, Dr. Whitaker's seminar for teachers imparts the knowledge and skills needed to model the specific behaviors and practices of today's most successful teachers. This includes building relationships, understanding praise, staying positive 10 days out of 10, and clearly communicating expectations for behavior and holding students accountable.
"Through my many years as a classroom teacher, principal, and educational consultant, I've had the opportunity to observe many good teachers—and a small handful of really great ones," reports Dr. Whitaker. "These shining stars are the teachers students remember forever, parents consistently request, and coworkers admire. What they do differently from every other teacher enables them to have a positive impact on their students, parents, colleagues, and school."
Dr. Whitaker's impressive career includes the role of principal at the middle school, junior high, and high school levels. In his equally popular SDE seminar, What Great Principals Do Differently, also adapted from a best-selling book, he teaches school leaders how to motivate different types of teachers, build a staff of effective and positive teachers, create a climate and culture in which teachers treat students with respect and dignity every day, set clear expectations at the start of the school year and consistently follow through on them, and more.
Teachers and principals who attended Dr. Whitaker's SDE seminars in November wrote rave reviews:
"I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated Dr. Whitaker's presentation," reported a fourth grade teacher from Georgia. "The information provided guidance and renewed inspiration for me. Some ideas and information were things I'd not thought about before…and the entire presentation made us think, laugh, and reflect."
"I was rejuvenated, which is what I needed," wrote a Louisiana principal. "I have gotten caught up in a web with all the changes. The ideas helped me to come back down and realize why I am doing this. I love the students, staff, parents and community that I work with at my school."
Dr. 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.
Currently a professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University, Dr. Whitaker has spent his life pursuing a love of education by researching and studying effective teachers and principals. One of the nation's leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness, he has written 24 educational books, including two national bestsellers.
About SDE
SDE provides professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.
Educators interested in learning more about SDE's national conferences and the many other professional development opportunities offered by SDE can visit the company's website, www.SDE.com, or call 1-800-462-1478.