Todd Whitaker, Jeffrey Zoul, & Jimmy Casas - Routledge EOE Author of the Month: March

Our Exclusive Interview with Todd, Jeff & Jimmy:

1) How did the three of you first meet?
Jeff met Todd well over a decade ago when he attended an event at which Todd was keynoting; they have been friends and collaborators since that time. Jeff met Jimmy through a member of his Twitter PLN and eventually visited his school in Bettendorf, Iowa. Jimmy first met Todd at an annual NASSP conference several years ago. Jimmy, Jeff, and Todd met together for the first time approximately three years ago when Todd visited Jeff's school district to work with staff members there.

2) What motivated you to write What Connected Educators Do Differently?
We were motivated by the experiences each of us had gained as a result of becoming connected educators. Although we were each well established in our careers as educators and leaders, we all realized that by becoming connected to a worldwide PLN we became even better at what we were doing and were able to share more and learn more with colleagues with whom we connected. When we met together in person we started to explore ways we could collaborate on a project that would allow us to share with others the powerful learning we had gained as a result of being connected.

3) What is the most important thing you would like readers to take away from your book?
That being connected to educators not only within your school or district but also outside the boundaries of your own organization can be a powerful, energizing support network in which the learning of one becomes the learning of all.

4) What inspired you to become an educator?
Todd: The desire to make a difference. I was dating a girl whose dad was a basketball coach and I had the chance to see the impact he had on so many others and I wanted to make a difference also.
Jimmy: I didn't have the most positive educational experience growing up so once I decided to become an educator, I knew I wanted to cultivate the best environment I could for all kids and inspire them to be more and do more than they ever thought they could.
Jeff: I wanted to enter a profession that would allow me to make a difference in the lives of young people

5) What was the proudest moment of your education career so far?
Todd: Hopefully inspiring others to desire to make a difference.
Jimmy: The fact that I have been blessed to get to walk into a school every day for the last thirteen year as principal and know that I have the opportunity to impact the lives of students and staff everyday in a positive way is both humbling and special.
Jeff: Honestly, collaborating with Jimmy and Todd--two people I respect greatly as educators and consider two of my closest friends--on this book has been such a moment. When students I taught many years ago contact me after to let me know I made a difference in their lives always makes me happy, too.

6) Why are you a fan of twitter for connecting with fellow educators?
We feel that it is the perfect platform for anytime, anywhere learning. It helps us learn what we want, when we want, and how we want. We are inspired by the passionate people we connect with via Twitter on a daily basis.

7) Do you have any social media pet peeves?
We always try to encourage people new to Twitter to personalize their profile by including a picture of themselves and a brief biography. When we see Twitter "eggheads", where we hope to see a profile picture, we fear that the person will not realize the full benefit of a PLN

8) If a busy teacher thinks she/he doesn't have time to tweet, what would your response be?
Start small. Make a goal of 20 minutes a day or a goal to simply send 5 Tweets a week, sharing a quote, a resource, and something about your work as an educator. Find an initial list of around 50 educators who share your interests to follow

9) Can you give a specific example of a powerful use of twitter you’ve seen or a tweet that had a big impact?
Jimmy: I love watching how our students, staff and parents use our school hashtag #bettpride on twitter on a daily basis to demonstrate their passion, purpose and pride they have for each other and for our school community.
Jeff: In our district we used our district Twitter Hashtag (#engage109) this winter when we canceled school due to inclement weather to keep our kids and teachers teaching and learning together. It was fun to watch them collaborating across Twitter even on a snow day!

10) And finally, please describe your education philosophy in one sentence.
Todd: Treat every student with respect and dignity every day.
Jimmy: Every student deserves their special moment and to be a part of something great!
Jeff: I believe we should always make our decisions based on what is best for our primary customers: the students that we serve