The ten qualities of great teacher 

What makes a teacher ex­ceptional? Does great­ness derive from a set of skills that can be learned and devel­oped or is unusual excellence in the classroom a Cod-given tal­ent bestowed on a select few? Many of the greatest teach­ers are also the humblest. Theyunderstand the magic of learn­ing, they respect and value their place in the process, and they thrive along with their students. But a closer look at classroom attitudes and meth­ods of instruction reveals a commonality among the best of the best teachers.

Compassion

Understanding the challenges that all students face in the classroom, remembering the turbulence of learning the ways of the world, and being willing to reexperience the nat­ural "growing pains" of school years are all part of the job for the gifted teacher. Feeling for- and with-students is univer­sally acknowledged as funda­mental to success.

Creativity

Breathing life and excitement into the daily chores of school life calls for a bottomless well of creativity-and the best teachers seem to have access to one. Rarely fixed in their methods and typically willing to follow up on new inspira­tions rather than resist them, great teachers trust their cre­ative instincts and search for alternative, more effective, and frequently, more enter­taining ways to present les­sons to students.

Dedication

A great teacher's dedication has two distinct parts. First, the teacher is devoted to students and determined to help them learn and grow. Second, he or she is strongly committed to professional development. Always up-to-date on the lat­est research and passionately involved in academic conver­sations with peers, dedicated teachers know that profession­alism and achievement aren't limited by the four walls of the classroom.

Enthusiasm

Students need inspiration and enthusiastic teachers provide it. Because they are happily engaged with their work, their passion and excitement is con­tagious . . . and their students reap enormous benefits. Enthu­siasm stems from strong belief in the subject matter and in the importance of teaching it. Great teachers say enthusiasm builds on itself-exponentially.

Ethics

First, do no harm. These words, made famous in the Hippo-cratic oath in medical practice, apply to teachers as well. Teachers hold their students' self-esteem, confidence, and academic vulnerability in their hands. They can inspire but, un­fortunately, they can also crush. Great teachers remain acutely aware of ethical issues and dif­ficulties in the classroom. They set (and model) high standards and help their students recog­nize and meet them.

Imagination

The mysterious power of the imagination allows a great teacher to see each student's rich potential. Only then can teacher and student become cocreators of the student's new identity. This faith in a student's positive attributes and abilities permits teachers to challenge, push forward, and expect more. At the same time, it encourages students to pursue goals they might never have attempted.

Leadership

Ability to control and lead a classroom-preferably, with a soft touch-is the hallmark of an exceptional teacher. Some call it an ability to "work the group"; others say a great teacher sets an example for students to imitate. Successful leadership involves formulating a goal, assuming responsibility for reaching it, and inspiring stu­dents to do the same.

Listening

Many great teachers hold to the philosophy that teaching is primarily listening and learn­ing is primarily talking. They develop elaborate techniques to encourage students to express fearlessly their thoughts, obser­vations, and questions. These teachers step back to give their students room to grow. They lis­ten with extreme attention, care­fully clarify misconceptions, and redirect energy, but mostly, they listen because they care.

Patience

Patience is a virtue great teach­ers must possess. The readiness to accept and work with stu­dents on their own level, even if it's frustrating at times, and the willingness to "try, try again" when the first few attempts at instruction fail are essential to the art of teaching. Most of all, the teacher has to admit, accept, and honor the fact that the student, not the teacher, ultimately sets the pace.

Respect

An atmosphere of mutual, far-reaching respect between teacher and students is crucial in the classroom. Great teach­ers understand that respect is something they have to give in order to receive. Because they value the minds (and the per- sonalities) they are helping to shape, treating students with courtesy, consideration, and regard is fundamental to their personal interaction-in and out of the classroom.