What you need to teach effectively (a personal reflection)

Here are my thoughts after having read the material on teaching standards. I think all teachers need:

• a love of children and a belief that all children are capable of learning
• a very good understanding of the subject matter that you are teaching. This would include a love of the subject to an extent that you are interested in finding out more about it. This would be further enhanced when you know the anecdotes and stories associated with the subject.
• an effective method of planning a teaching and learning unit using a structure that actually results in improved student learning.
• a range of teaching and learning techniques to help students understand the content and develop the skills to be a successful learner.
• a willingness to work and share resources with other teachers, students and parents.
• a willingness to reflect on your teaching on your own or with some sort of support group.
• an ability to involve yourself in useful professional development opportunities that come.
• a willingness to get to know children, their interests, strengths, weaknesses to be able to know how to effectively help their learning.

More to come as I think about the upcoming writing session on Teaching standards.