Book excerpt: A thoughtful teacher is one who works to foster an inspiring classroom environment where students fall in love with learning. Indeed, it is incumbent on the teacher to understand self, to be prepared, to possess command of subject matter, to teach in a developmentally appropriate manner, to mindfully incorporate culturally relevant practices, and to illuminate a sense of connection with a diverse student population. In that light, The Thoughtful Teacher: Making Connections with a Diverse Student Population highlights the critical importance of what it means to thoughtfully teach, emphasizing that a central aspect toward transformation in education is through the dedicated efforts of thoughtful teachers. Written in accessible language and making clear the important connection between theory and practice, this book is an informative text for teachers, teacher educators, school administrators, and those who have an interest in education.