When good isn't good enough

As previously written, one of the arguments posed by Joe Public around this political mess we're in right now is that there's loads of "dead weight" in the system. While I can agree that there are varying degrees of passion in the schools I have worked, I can say that the vast majority of teachers are competent. Having made that point, there are definitely some that are held in higher regard and here's some of my thoughts on why.
* I admit that I got some of these ideas from other teacher blogs*

Great teachers don't always create the best lessons, but they always foster the best relationships with their students. They understand that developing the right classroom climate is a must for great learning. They understand the power of connecting, so they are diligent about building conditions that foster it, even with the boneheads. Although I don't consider myself great, maintaining contact with former players and students is the sole reason I am active on social media.

When a lesson doesn't work out as planned, great teachers are not looking around the room for excuses ... they are looking at the face in the mirror. They own the responsibility and actively seek improvement. They don't show up for work... they show up for kids because t's about passion, not about a job. They understand the Golden Rule, "Treat every child the way you would want your own child to be treated."

Great teachers are always prepared to teach, but they are mindful of the fact that not all students are prepared to learn. They are not bent on winning "the battle" with the students because they understand that if there is a battle in the classroom, nobody wins. They define their success by the success of the learning ... it's ALWAYS about the learning ... and that's not always tied to the curriculum. With all of the energy and passion I directed at extra curricular things, this is near and dear to my heart.

Great teachers will spend some time during holidays thinking about how they can improve the lesson for the next time. That's not because they are told/instructed to do but because that's their mindset; there's always a way to improve the learning. Understanding that the crux of the matter is to facilitate, not indoctrinate, burns at their core. They are always in pursuit of a better experience for their students, demanding the same excellence of themselves that they look for in their students. There are many that don't understand this point ... Learning is personal and is solely under our own control. Teaching is about facilitating learning, not unlike a guide that finds the best pathway for each learner, and seeking understanding of many pathways is what lesson planning is all about.

Great teachers are never victims of unmotivated students because they refuse to let them get away without attempting the work. They can look past the attitude and realize there's always something else going on because they are not driven by courses of study, but by the faces in front of them.  They embrace the role of Key Master, opening the doors to the surest path to learning, yet allowing students to control the execution of that same learning. They did not become this way by accident, but by making a decision that being good was not enough for their students, and that everyone has bad days. They never lose perspective and refuse to let personal drama undermine the positive energy in the classroom.

Our city ... our county ... our province ... our country ... our world is a better place because of the passion and dedication of great teachers everywhere, be it in classrooms, schools, fields of play or living rooms. It's too easy to "paint" all teachers with global statements of shortcomings ... Look closely at the teachers interacting with your children because there's a very good chance that they're great ... and you should let them know how much you appreciate what they're doing for your family.