There are good teachers and there are great teachers…

A great teacher…

…engages in conversation and communicates high expectations to all students, colleagues and parents, demanding and encouraging their own initiatives.

…has the capacity to keep on learning; he knows exactly where to improve and do better.

… has a great sense of humour.

…enjoys and loves teaching his subject.

…is always seeking new knowledge and acquiring new skills.

…possesses unbreakable enthusiasm to impart what he already knows.

…keeps his own personal desire for learning and maintains a passion for his subject discipline.

…challenges students and colleagues to think, to create and to respond to provocations that allow a deeper and more connected understanding of learning.

…invests in the interests of individual students, supporting their growth.

…gives and receives feedback, maintaining a strong professional relationship.

…is sensitive to the needs of every individual (students and colleagues) and develops a mentoring and a coaching attitude.

…accepts his own limitations

…is always prepared for each class and is available and accessible for all students, colleagues or parents.

…appreciates the cultural and ethnic diversity breaking down any kind of cultural barriers.

…knows when to say ‘no’ and when to delegate and knows when to refuse additional responsibilities or new initiatives.

…is always available for additional contributions to help the whole organization.

…is humble enough to be open to new challenges or ideas if they have an important role in fostering values and developing students.

…is a master of his subject and demands high expectations in every single lesson.

…is clear, kind and honest communicator with everyone.

…is always prepared and organised.

…engages students and has strong caring relationships with them.

…is always respected and esteemed; never feared.

Dear colleague, are you a good teacher or a great teacher?

Thanks to Ross Morrison McGill