Teaching that Matters invites principals and teachers to make changes that will allow all students to succeed. Thoms urges administrators and teachers to reconsider traditional practices in light of today's media-driven culture and digitally wired students. While sensitive to the challenges schools face Thoms is relentless in offering strategies to meet these challenges.

Rather than focus on improving test scores, Teaching that Matters advocates that teachers teach to a child's whole symphony, not only to one note. If students only learn to succeed on bubble tests, they will not have opportunities to discover their true potential. Thoms sees the teaching process as a joint venture between teacher and student where the teacher brings learning to the student and, at the same time, brings the student to the learning.

This process demands at least as much listening as talking, a new habit that teachers and principals need to learn. By meeting innovative principals and teachers who engage students, this book will help you to learn to change traditional classroom practices into exciting alternatives.