ABSTRACT
All effective teachers have a core set of beliefs to which they adhere as educators. The author describes "The Great Teacher" he identifies as "Mrs. Heart". Great educators understand that behaviors and beliefs are tied to emotion, and understand the power of emotion to jump-start change. Whitaker states that in great schools, teachers tell stories about the teaching legends with whom they have worked. The real challenge-and the real accomplishment-is to get all students to care about what happens in the classroom and to create an atmosphere in which it is "cool to care". This chapter presents key concepts, discussion questions, journal prompt, and group activities related to the Clarify Your Core. The author's core beliefs, ask individuals to think about additional core beliefs not mentioned in the text that are essential components of their personal mission as teachers. Each group at one of the seventeen "stations" and have them spend five minutes reflecting on item at that desk.
