6 Traits of Effective Teachers
Which do you have already have, and which could you develop further, asks Ross Morrison McGill…
1 | Planned and organised
Effective teachers are always organised! So much so, they often memorise the schedules of colleagues and students in order to pre-empt potential problems. Their lesson plans – whether lengthy or concise – are well thought out, so they meet the needs of all students; their books are marked smartly, with workload and school policy in mind; and their classrooms are an engine room.
Classroom resources are organised in meticulous fashion, laid out carefully in trays, drawers, cups and pots. You name it; this teacher has it covered! Better still, you’ll never catch a student abusing any of their well-thought resources; they wouldn’t dare.
2 | Reflective and open minded
The most effective teachers know that they are constantly being evaluated by their headteachers, colleagues, parents and even their students. And instead of feeling aggrieved at being held to account, they embrace the challenge of teaching and are open minded when receiving feedback about how they can become even better than they are already.
Effective teachers know that nobody is perfect and there is always room for improvement, but they also understand that it is a necessity for teachers to reflect on their teaching to develop their practice even further. After every lesson, they think about what went well and what they could do better next time.
3 | Comfortable with taking risks
In teaching, lessons don’t always go according to plan, so there is a huge need to be flexible and ‘go with the flow’. Effective teachers know they must adapt to meet the needs of students and the requirements of curriculum and assessment.
They know they need to move with the times; what may have worked two or three years ago may not be so effective today. They believe that they are a subject expert and must be at the forefront of their subject knowledge, skills and pedagogy.
4 | Collaborative
Effective teachers have a unique way of bringing positive energy into the classroom every single day. We all have personal challenges inside and outside of the school gates, but effective teachers are able to leave all of this behind the moment they step into the classroom.
They do, however, share their worldly experiences with students when applicable to the curriculum. Their positive energy is often infectious and can lift the spirits of their colleagues too. Effective teachers never underestimate the expertise that lies within their school. They never forget the importance of sharing ideas with colleagues through a quick discussion or a short observational walk along the corridors.
5 | Able to break down barriers
Of course, most teachers break down barriers daily in their classrooms, but an effective teacher knows that literacy, language and social background are not barriers to learning. They accept no excuses from themselves, their colleagues or their students.
Effective teachers know that quality teaching has the greatest impact on their students’ learning. Other interventions are offered but they are never a substitute for low standards in the classroom. Effective teachers set themselves – and their students – high standards and expect them to be met.
6 | Consistent
Effective teachers are consistent in all that they do. They may be mavericks but they remain in line with whole-school policy and never undermine their colleagues. With an effective teacher, you know what you are getting (even if they do surprise colleagues and students with unusual ideas from time to time!). Their behaviour never raises an eyebrow because their reputation and evidence of prior successes speak for themselves. They always give 100% in everything they do. They are reliable and do what they do because they love teaching, not because they feel obliged to do it.
Ross Morrison McGill is a blogger and experienced school leader. This extract is taken from his new book Mark. Plan. Teach. (£12.99, Bloomsbury Education). Find him at teachertoolkit.co.uk and follow him on Twitter at @rossmcgill.
