Definition: One skilled in teaching.  It’s not that complicated. But what is it that defines a skilled teacher?  What are the qualities we look for in a person from which we need to learn a skill, gain access, better ourselves?  For one thing, have they ever walked in your shoes? Have they learned from experience and are now willing to share what they’ve learned for you to decide what fits for you?

“It’s much easier, after all, to learn mathematics from someone who’s made a few mistakes.
It’s impossible to learn it from someone who always gets it right.”
― John Lennox

1. Great educators set high expectations for all students/staff members. They expect that all students can and will achieve in their position, and they don’t give up on underachievers.
2. Great educators have clear, written-out objectives. Effective educators have plans that give staff a clear idea of what they will be learning during a training session, what the tasks are that will utilize the new skills, and what the expectations of the outcome are.  The valued educator is consistent in evaluating tasks where the new skills were implemented and giving feedback in a timely manner.
3. Great educators are prepared and organized. They inspire learning and adopting of new methods with their enthusiasm and commitment to the methods. They present lessons in a clear and structured way. Their seminars and sessions are organized in such a way as to minimize distractions.
4. Great educators engage the staff team and get them to look at issues in a variety of ways. Effective educators use facts as a starting point, not an end point; they ask “why” questions, look at all sides and encourage staff to predict what will happen next. They ask questions frequently to make sure all are following along. They try to engage the whole department or team, and they don’t allow a few to dominate the class. They keep everyone motivated with varied, lively approaches.
5. Great educators form strong relationships with their “students” and show that they care about them as people. They demonstrate a commitment to the company and/or project.
6. Great educators have paid their dues through years of experience and are masters of their subject matter. They exhibit expertise in the subjects they are teaching and spend time continuing to gain new knowledge in their field. They present material in an enthusiastic manner and instill a hunger in others to learn more on their own.

“A true teacher would never tell you what to do. But he would give you the knowledge with which you could decide what would be best for you to do.”
― Christopher Pike, Sati

leadership

About the Author: Susan Finch

Susan has been a web solutions provider since 1997 and combines it with her years of experience in Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising. In her own company, Susan Finch Solutions (http://www.susanfinch.com) Susan provides training, design, set up, strategies, and graphics for clients online and for print. Susan has been a director for the SLMA since 2008.