Most of us would agree that excellent teachers are masters of their subject matter. They know how to challenge, engage and inspire students, too.
http://info.marygrove.edu/MATblog/bid/99598/What-Makes-an-Extraordinary-Teacher-Extraordinary
http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~evans/paradise/teaching/
Ten Characteristics
of Extraordinary Teachers*
The International Center for Leadership in Education has recently
completed a study of what makes a teacher extraordinary. The study was built on
three earlier studies that explored (a) the reasons some schools had
high-achieving students in spite of high poverty and other markers that seem to
preclude success, (b) the ways these schools were able to close the achievement
gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students, and (c) the observations of
students in these studies who were interviewed about their learning and their
teachers’ teaching.
From these explorations, the new study identifies 10 characteristics
of extraordinary teachers:
1.
Student-Teacher Relationships. The
teacher creates an atmosphere of mutual respect in which students and teachers
are involved together in the learning process.
2.
Commitment to Student Success. The
teacher believes and acknowledges that all students will succeed and works to
accomplish this success.
3.
Passion, Enthusiasm, and Competence. The
teacher demonstrates an infectious interest and passion in the subject matter
and relays that attitude to students, staff, and other adults.
4.
Awareness of Time. The
teacher provides bell-to-bell instruction in the classroom and plans time to
ensure that the curriculum is covered within the semester or school year.
5.
Exceptional Organization. The
teacher has systems (often self-designed) for maximizing instructional time.
6.
Seamless Use of Tools and Opportunities. The
teacher has at hand a full complement of instructional strategies and is able
to take advantage of classroom opportunities to extend discussion and
understanding.
7. High
Verbal Skills, Clear Voice. The teacher has a widely
developed vocabulary, a clear voice, and the ability to explain concepts well.
8.
Sense of Theatre. The
teacher holds the students’ attention through a style that includes a sense of
theater, an awareness of audience, and an atmosphere of liveliness.
9. Experience.
The teacher demonstrates maturity gained though several years of
teaching.
10. Pleasantly
Neurotic. The teacher is likely on occasion to bend rules or change
procedures in order to benefit students, but is, at the same time, a team
player and not a rabble-rouser.
* Excerpted from Extraordinary Teachers — Differences That Make a Difference, published by the International Center for Leadership in Education. The kit is now available at www.leadered.com or http://store.leadered.com.
