Beth Whitaker

Beth McCune Whitaker is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Missouri–Columbia, where she also serves as Program Coordinator for the PK–12 Educational Leadership and Administration program. In this role she oversees curricula, ensures alignment with state and national standards, coordinates student admissions, and works with stakeholders to support and improve the program. Her scholarly work focuses on school climate, principal leadership, and staff motivation and morale.

Whitaker is co-author of Motivating & Inspiring Teachers: The Educational Leaders’ Guide for Building Staff Morale, written with Todd Whitaker and Dale Lumpa, a widely used guide that offers practical strategies for improving educator morale and sustaining positive energy in schools. The book has appeared in multiple editions and is cited in professional resources on teacher morale and school leadership.