Description:

What is great teaching? What makes a teacher great?

This issue focuses on the importance of effective teachers and teaching on student achievement and how to ensure the presence of both in the classroom. 

Key Ideas:

“Three musts for bolstering student achievement,” by Vicki Urquhart, outlines the “three musts,” including hiring the right people, supporting their knowledge and skill growth, and ensuring each student performs to his or her potential. 

Gary Peterson with Bryan Goodwin discuss the importance of districts’ choosing the right teachers and supporting and encouraging great teachers in “Great teachers, great teaching: The district’s role.”

“What makes for a good teacher?” by Bryan Goodwin, describes teacher attributes that research says are strongly—or not strongly—related to student achievement.

“Classroom walkthroughs: Learning to see the trees and the forest,” By Howard Pitler with Bryan Goodwin, identifies the six questions principals should ask themselves when observing classrooms.

In “Teaching that makes a difference in diverse classrooms,” Heather Hein interviews Maria Guajardo, executive director of the Denver Mayor’s Office, on how teachers can learn to show respect for individual students and their cultures.

APA Citation:

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning. (2008, Summer.) Changing Schools, 58. Denver, CO: Author.

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