What Makes a Great Teacher
I am sometimes accused of only pointing out the problems with education in NZ including schools and teachers.
I have had the very great privilege of working with incredible educators as well as being able to sit at the feet of coaches such as Lydiard, Jack Ralston, John Hart and Sir Graham Henry and being able to pick the brains of Joe Schmidt. Effective teaching and sports coaching have a great many things in common.
There are some features that make a teacher/coach outstanding. Some are difficult to define but none-the-less important.
1. Planning and subject expertise.
Great teachers are well qualified. They know their subject area and if there is a weakness – e.g. a primary teacher with not enough Maths background – they fix that.
They plan from a full course overview and are thorough. They know what they are doing, when they are doing it, why and what success looks like.
2. Expert Classroom Management and Teaching
Great teachers are experts with the personal interactions in their class. Some of the very best teachers I have come across may not be great with adults and formality (I, for one, am not) – but put them in front of a bunch of young people and there is genuine synergy.
A great teacher can laugh at themselves and laugh with kids when they are funny.
They will have clear and defined boundaries but they will be well reasoned and for the learning good of a child.
As tough as it sounds – every child will be favoured as if they are the teacher’s own.
3. They have unlimited energy and never complain about their job or young people.
One of the stupidest things I have had occasion to hear is when you are in a school in the holidays and someone says; “Beautiful place when there are no kids.” Or, sitting in a staffroom, you hear a teacher venting prolifically and negatively about students and/or their families.
If you do not love working with young people – and all that it involves – do something else. If it is just an income – then earn it another way.
Good teachers NEVER complain about their career. They see obstacles and work to overcome them but it is always with the good of the students in mind. Nothing should happen in a school that is not for the good of the students.
Good teachers also rarely count the hours or delineate between their private and professional time. You are a teacher 24/7 when needed. I have had the tragic experiences of three young people die while being a part of schools I was in. There have also been tragedies when family members have died or someone’s world gets turned upside down for other reasons. Your time and care needs to be freely available.
4. Great Teachers have qualities that appear intangible – but can be – and have been – developed.
A great teacher makes you feel like you matter and that your efforts and achievements matter. You don’t want to let them down, but you also know that when you get things wrong they will give you another chance and back you up to achieve next time. Great teachers allow Mulligans.
Great teachers look for role models. They read widely about best practice. They deliberately care and communicate. They know that they are only as good as their last class and want to be better tomorrow.
Great teachers are deliberate about the details and provide feedback that always helps a child to understand what the next best step is.
I probably cannot sum it up better than this short interaction with a teacher involved in Mt Hobson Academy Connected (which I helped establish but have no vested interest in now). Her name is Jennifer Cummins. She teaches Science and is superb.
Jennifer: “Had a 12 hr day, with a 4 hr parent teacher interviews. Amazing and so grateful to be in partnership with parents and their children.”
AP: “That is because you are one of the very best and it is such a privilege for those children and their families to work with you.”
Jennifer: “Thank you Alwyn, I could almost believe it, but can only aspire to be the best.”
Maybe a good way here would be to name some of those great people that have influenced you. I certainly consider Peter Reid of Wanganui Boys College in the 1980s as someone who transformed my life and for whom I will be for ever grateful.
Alwyn Poole (alwyn.poole@gmail.com)
Innovative Education Consultants
Cambridge Festival of Sport
www.innovativeeducation.co.nz
www.cambridgefestivalofsport.co.nz
www.alwynpoole.substack.com
www.linkedin.com/in/alwyn-poole-16b02151/