We've all heard the debate about how teachers should be assessed, but what does a great teacher actually look like? Who were (are) your favorite teachers, and what qualities do they have that set them apart from the rest?

You know.... it is sort of interesting that you ask..... The teachers that made the biggest impression on me and truly changed my life were hated by many other students and looked down upon by both other teachers and administration.

It truly is subjective. As I am a teacher now, I think that measuring a teachers worth by a test score is wrong and unfair to everyone. Are there standards in my school? Yes, are my expectations higher than the standard? YES. Will 100% of my students pass a standardized test? No!

I heard a comment from great teaching advocate last year…. He said “Do you know who does the best on standardized tests?  Those that cheat!”  I love that quote as performance and testing are two different methods.

A great teacher sees beyond the textbook. A great teacher sees a student and sees a new beginning, another chance to help change the world. A great teacher listens to students with more than their ears,they also listen with their hearts. A great teacher is concerned with student success not only on tests but in life! Yes, the child can pass a test, but can that same child cope with failure if they don't. A great teacher never truly "grows up", they are always learning and wanting to share their love of learning. I am truly proud to say I am a teacher and I always look for those qualities in myself. I see teaching as a "calling" not just a vocation. My day is never complete unless I know I have made one student smile with success or shown that I care more about the student than the subject I teach. I have taught for 30+ years and I still love it.

What makes a great teacher?  I remember the ones who were passionate about what they were teaching, who had deep knowledge in their fields...and who held us to high standards, and were constantly challenging us to achieve.  The "easy teachers" invariably were the mediocre ones. 

A grad school professor talked about when he was a high school freshman, he translated 100 lines of Greek every day.  He didn't think it was so amazing...because all of his friends were doing that too.  When we present material we care deeply about, when we are passionate and subject matter competent, and then expect students to respond, and encourage them.  They will.

Pr Chris

Guys, I am a young 57 and run a small corporation.  College degree in political science with education minor.  Passed "Praxis" last october to be eligible to teach.  I think I have  much to offer as an educator.  I was a college letterman in two sports and worked as a conselor when I was in my young years.  Applying with the online application I haven't had one single interview.  Does that seem right?  I think individuals with a life of experience could help make a difference.  Gosh I can coach three sports.  What do you think?

* Last updated by: catcher on 9/25/2011 @ 4:14 PM *

 Before telling any thing i want to show what is the definition of education....is the writing, reading and understanding...........no education is not only the writing,reading,  while writing right things,reading right things and understanding right things......I found that when teacher comes in the class room then they only focus on theory and forgate their responsibility .they dont think are all student paying attention or not. some one understanding or not.what is the area of attraction of that student they have to focus on the area of interest of student.........they have to incorrage their student loveable.i found that there is so corruption in middle age individual.is they educated? education is not only for gating a good job while it is neccessory for the social development....I am doing MBA and i am interested in marketing specailization ....... but only teacher focus on the theory and in the good marks... good marks dont give the good job........practical is basic needs of education so teacher has to care about practical.......now a day education becomes a part of business.organisation play as a social actor but right now every organisation involving in making more and more money........they use the celibrity for the promotion of goods and product which unneccessity increase the cost of goods. while i think we have to use the our student for the promotion of goods and product.which helps in decreasing cost of the goods then customer easily pay the money for that services.and involvment of student in that area will be the new technique of teaching..............................................    

Many of the teachers that have had the greatest impact on me as a student are the ones that have an enthusiasm for teaching and for the subject they are teaching. I think for any job, not just teaching, having a passion and a drive for that job is important. When someone lacks passion for their job, they stop caring about their job. When a teacher loses his or her passion, they stop caring about the students which is something that a teacher should never do. 

Teachers also need to have a willingness to learn. I plan to eventually become a secondary history teacher, and one thing that I have learned from my history professors is that our perception of history is always changing because of new discoveries and because modern history is constantly changing. New innovations are constantly being made in all subjects from Biology to English to Mathematics. Plus, teachers don't only have to work on learning more about the subject they teach, they also need to be learning about new ways to teach. The more someone learns about teaching, the more they learn about a teaching style that works best for them and the subject they are teaching.