Hi, Griffins and guardians! My name is Todd Whittaker. I am so excited to have found a home at Sterling. Teaching has always been a dream for me. As a foster alum who grew up in a children's home in Greenwood, SC, I found comfort and a sense of belonging at school. Teachers took a special interest in me and made me feel wanted, accepted, and capable of more than I ever believed; they were my heroes. I want to be a champion for students who are like I was: needing a place to belong, an adult to accept them, or just someone to encourage them and let them know how amazing they are.
I was able to go to college and make my dream a reality when I turned 30. I went to Greenville Technical College for two years, where I earned an Associate of Science and graduated with Honors in 2019, and I continued on at USC Upstate, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Middle Level Education in 2021, all while working full time. I am excited to show students that there is more than one way to go through life and that anything is possible with dedication, resiliency, and hard work.
I am certified to teach Mathematics and English Language Arts in Grades 5 through 9. I earned my Gifted and Talented Endorsement from Converse University in 2022.
I earned a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governor's University in 2024. I am working on building my own Algebra 1 and Geometry curriculums! I created many of the guided notes, activities, projects, and practice my students use in class.
I have taught 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Math, including Algebra 1 Honors and Geometry Honors. I have also taught Enrichment and Remedial Math and Reading to 1st through 5th graders in Summer School.
In 2025, I was part of Greenville County's Math Curriculum Writing Team and helped develop the Geometry with Statistics course I currently teach.
This is my fourth year at Sterling School.
Learn about why I became a teacher in this video.
I am grateful and humbled to be a 2024 WYFF News 4 Golden Apple Award Winner.
In my free time, I love being involved with my church, working out, playing with my Corgi, Helo, reading avidly, and playing video games. Here are some of my favorite things:
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Band: Fleetwood Mac
Favorite Books: Animorphs by K. A. Applegate, I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Favorite TV Shows: Battlestar Galactica, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, American Horror Story
Favorite Movie: Scream
Favorite Video Games: Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, Final Fantasy X, Super Mario Bros. 3, Stardew Valley
Students always ask me what games I play, so I am linking a spreadsheet with all of the games I own here. I used to be a Store Manager at GameStop, so video games have been a big part of my life. They are still a major passion. I play games primarily on my Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, but I also own a PS4, PS5, PS Vita, Gamecube, and 3DS.
This is my 8th Grade yearbook picture. 'Why is it black and white, Mr. Whitt? How old are you?!" We don't talk about that...
I grew up at Connie Maxwell Children's Home. See if you can spot me in this picture.
I am a proud Upstate alum! I won the Outstanding Student Teacher Award in 2021.
I completed my first two years of college at Greenville Tech at night while working full time during the day. I earned my Associate of Science, though Chemistry was my least favorite class! I still have nightmares about it.
My dog, Helo, is the most spoiled Corgi on the planet.
This is Helo's dog, David. I rescued him so Helo would have another dog to play with. He's a papillon-chihuahua mix.
Ew, David.
Benjamin is my third and final dog. I wasn't planning on getting a third dog, but I found Benjamin abandoned on Woodruff Road. The rest is history. Ben is a German Shepherd mix.
Here's all three dogs together.
My brother, Kenny, is my best friend.
I love my church, my friends, and my family. The three categories blend a lot.
You didn't go to the gym unless you took a gym selfie. I enjoy working out and I strive to stay healthy. The woman in the picture is one of my best friends, Christie!
Here is your day as an 8th grader in one picture! I love being part of the 8th Grade team at Sterling.