On Being a Teacher

If you had to name the defining characteristic of a “good teacher,” what trait would you suggest? Would you start ticking off the skills listed on the evaluation framework used in your district? Or would you think back to your own experiences and consider the most memorable educators you’ve known? In this collection of articles from Educational Leadership, the authors—all educators and educators of educators—discuss what it means to be a good teacher. They include tips and strategies for everything from connecting with students to planning the teaching day, reflections on the profession as a whole, and descriptions of practices that can make the teaching experience more effective and more rewarding.


This enhanced e-book includes 11 video clips from educators, including Jeffrey Benson, Baruti K. Kafele, and Robyn R. Jackson, discussing why they became teachers, what it means to be a leader of educators, and more. Please note that only devices and software that support EPUB3 and the MP4 video format can play the video clips. Check the customer support area of the website for the specific device or software to determine its compatibility.