Interact Curriculum Pages > Articles > What are the Hallmarks of a Great Teacher?
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What are the Hallmarks of a Great Teacher?The success of the Interact Curriculum depends entirely on the teacher. It is the teacher who is the MOST IMPORTANT part of the curriculum. The child is a spiritual being, needing to be loved, to be communicated with, to be engaged, to be led from the present knowledge to understanding, to practical application and wisdom. The most significant learning for a child will be because he has been inspired by love. It is our belief that the most inspiring and influential teachers are not necessarily the most experienced, but rather, are those who are growing in love. They are personally learning of God and developing a relationship with him. They see the character of God expressed in creation and worship him in response. They seek to be led by the Holy Spirit.. They are developing a relationship with pupils, and allowing the pupils to know them as a person and not just a deliverer of curriculum. They seek to identify the best way for each child to learn and to inspire them. They keep their teaching duties in balance with other learning and life-giving activities in order to be whole and healthy people who are better able to love the pupils. They will create a positive learning environment.. They are personally learning more about God's world, and acknowledging and enjoying the "wow" and wonder in creation. Because they are enjoying new things themselves, they pass their joy on to the pupils. They seek to bring LIFE through God's word and truth. They have a sense of being called to teaching and see it as a ministry rather than a career. Their love for God, the pupils, and the subjects they teach means that, even on difficult days, they are certain of their calling and desire to improve their skills and understanding in order to become the best Teachers they can be. Has the child a teacher who loves him? He will be significantly influenced for good. Has the child a teacher who loves her subject and imparts that joy to others? He will be inspired to learn. Has the child a teacher who loves God and is a disciple of Jesus? He will be inspired towards God himself. Has the child a teacher who loves teaching? He is fortunate indeed! The child, in order to have the best educational experience, will have teachers who love. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER? The predominant educational theory increasingly implies that we construct our own knowledge, and that truth is irrelevant. Increasingly, skills are more valued than knowledge. As Christians we disagree with this philosophy and believe that truth is important and is knowable. TO TEACH BY INSTRUCTION The Interact Curriculum suggests that, in order to equip children for responsibility in the world, we must give them knowledge, understanding and wisdom as well as skills. We also believe that direct instruction is a valuable tool in the education of children. In the past God clearly instructed the Israelites about how to live, and told them to pass the commandments on from generation to generation. Jesus clearly used the instruction method of teaching. Instruction can be given creatively and we read that Jesus instructed through parables, explanations, analogies, as well as directly. Jesus taught in the course of life, making the most of teachable moments, and he integrated scripture into life. The teacher will help students make connections between what they have experienced, what they have read and heard and what they achieve in practice.
TO TEACH BY IMITATION The discipleship focus of education in scripture is worthy of emulating as teachers. Children are more likely to be interested if we are interested, to be inspired if we are inspired, to try new skills if we try new skills with them, to risk failure if we risk failure, to be accurate if we are accurate, to be on time if we are on time, to be respectful of others if we are respectful of them, and to persevere if they see us persevere. The greatest challenge of a teacher is to be what he wants the children to become. Perhaps that is why James says, "Let not many of you be teachers, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment." (James 3:1) It is this realisation that allows us to provide a supportive environment for our students.
TO FACILITATE LEARNING Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences enable us to suggest learning activities that will suit students with differing learning styles. While we acknowledge that there are likely to be other forms of intelligence not listed here, the Interact Curriculum uses these as a framework to develop a wide range of learning activities that teachers can employ to Howard Gardner's intelligences and the Interact Curriculum includes activities for those who have:
Asking stimulating questions, encouraging children's curiosity and helping them develop skills for independent learning is another primary role of the teacher. The Interact Learning Path is designed to assist teachers facilitate learning by asking questions of increasing depth, and encouraging personal response. |