Just as the boy rescues one starfish at a time, exceptional teacher's believe they can make a difference for every student, and that their impact extends beyond what they see. Whitaker states, " This book is not about what we know. It's about who we are and what we do." Great teachers believe that the only variable that can be controlled is themselves and their willingness to accept responsibility for their students' learning. This is a foundational belief of the greatest educators.

Inspired by Todd Whitaker's book What Great Teachers Do Differently, this study considers the qualities that truly exceptional educators possess. The greatest teachers commit to making a difference in each student's life. Let's explore the qualities of these difference makers.