We know intuitively that these highly effective teachers can have an enriching effect on the daily lives of children and their lifelong educational and career aspirations. We now know empirically that these effective teachers also have a direct influence in enhancing student learning. Teacher quality support the fact that effective teachers not only make students feel good about school and learning, but also that their work actually results in increased student achievement. Studies have substantiated that a whole range of personal and professional qualities are associated with higher levels of student achievement. For example, we know that verbal ability, content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, certification status, ability to use a range of teaching strategies skilfully, and enthusiasm for the subject characterize more successful teachers. The following are some of the key qualities of effective teachers:
- Have formal teacher preparation training.
- Hold certification of some kind (standard, alternative, or provisional) and are certified within their fields.
- Have taught for at least three years.
- Are caring, fair, and respectful.
- Hold high expectations for themselves and their students.
- Dedicate extra time to instructional preparation and reflection.
- Maximize instructional time via effective classroom management and organization.
- Enhance instruction by varying instructional strategies, activities, and assignments.
- Present content to students in a meaningful way that fosters understanding.
- Monitor students’ learning by utilizing pre- and post-assessments, providing timely and informative feedback, and re teaching material to students who did not achieve mastery.
- Demonstrate effectiveness with the full range of student abilities in their classrooms, regardless of the academic diversity of the students.
By: Danilo B. Gomez | T-II | Orani National High School Tugatog, Orani, Bataan
