January and February are two of the main months each year when the selection of new teachers is undertaken for international schools such as Awty.  Our faculty turnover at the end of this year looks likely to be extremely small, but to cover the vacancies that will arise, I have been quite involved with teacher recruitment over the past few weeks, in close cooperation with the relevant Heads of Department.  As a result we have some outstanding new teachers who will join us in August this year.

I believe that the single most important task of a Head of School is selecting the right teachers for the school.  But how do you know which one of the many excellent teachers you interview will be the best match with the school?

It is an important question, because it lies at the heart of a school’s ability to deliver its mission and vision effectively.  It also lies at the heart of the ongoing need that every school has to improve its performance – or to use the expression I have been using in another context at Awty, to make our great school even better.

To improve schools, you need the best teachers.  Awty is incredibly blessed with the outstanding quality of the teachers it has; an energetic and committed team of professionals who inspire our students to aspire for new heights of creativity and excellence and to reach out to explore new possibilities.  The best teachers may not necessarily be the friendliest or even the most popular, but they invariably command respect and they inspire!

As I was interviewing prospective teachers this week, I developed an informal mental check-list of 20 qualities that make a good teacher.  Here is my list – I wonder if your list would be similar.

I suggest that the best teachers:

1. •  know their students.
   

2. •  show respect for their students.
   

3. •  are optimistic and have a sense of humor.
   

4. •  are firm but fair, and in so doing, they protect and enhance the physical and emotional welfare of their students.
   

5. •  can establish classroom environments that are stimulating, hardworking, focused and pleasant to be in.
   

6. •  possess sound and up-to-date knowledge about their subject(s).
   

7. •  have high expectations.
   

8. •  are resilient.
   

9. •  keep students busy on meaningful tasks which the students appreciate as having value.
   

10. •  use a variety of teaching styles to engage all learners, and thus alter tasks within each lesson to keep students engaged.
    

11. •  are able to customize learning tasks for students with differing abilities.
    

12. •  have a ‘presence’ and a sense of informal authority that commands respect.
    

13. •  maintain a warm, positive and supportive culture.
    

14. •  give encouragement – they are empathetic and kind.
    

15. •  are organized – they prepare their lessons thoroughly and mark work punctually.
    

16. •  set appropriate rules and reinforce them.
    

17. •  engage in effective, clear and ongoing communication with parents.
    

18. •  are able to capture students’ interest and motivate them to learn.
    

19. •  are able to make wise use of contemporary technology where appropriate to enrich their teaching.
    

20. •  make an active contribution to enhancing the school’s values and mission through role modelling effective and ethical behavior.
    

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