I believe a great teacher does the following:
- Establishes strong, respectful and caring relationships with all students.
- Leads meaningful, relevant, and engaging learning experiences.
- Works collaboratively with colleagues, parents, students, administrators, other staff members and citizens to promote positive, successful programs and communities for students.
- Demonstrates measured, kind, thoughtful, and respectful demeanor.
- Is enthusiastic, invested, and hard working when it comes to teaching.
- A lifelong learner who continually develops his/her intellect, knowledge, and skill.
- Creates a warm, vibrant, and responsive learning environment.
- Is an expert in the knowledge area he/she is responsible for.
- Works creatively with modern and traditional tools, resources, and materials to promote optimal learning.
- A culturally proficient, empathetic, and compassionate educator.
- Uses analysis based on observation, study, research, data, and other sources to make informed decisions about teaching and learning.
As I think of this list and my aim to continue to move in this direction, the following actions come to mind:
- Reset the classroom environment--clean it up, organize, and renovate to make it more welcoming and helpful with regard to student learning.
- Continue to reach for greater cultural proficiency.
- Slow down in order to include greater empathy, response, and care.
- Prioritize in order to make sure the most important learning happens in positive ways.
- Look for ways to listen to and respond to parents more with regard to their child's learning needs and interests as well as ways I can support parents with regard to their child's school experience.
What do you think makes a great teacher? What would you add to this list? I'm curious.
