Teaching Excellence for All Our Students

Abstract

Education has the power to change the world. We wrote this article in the spirit of the hope embodied by the election of President Obama and the critical need for improved teaching to benefit all the nation's students. This article offers a synthesis of the characteristics of excellent teaching for the diverse student population. This article offers a definition of accomplished teaching and explores the need for teacher accountability for student achievement and empowerment, belief in teaching excellence and the potential of each student, the use of a theory of learning and intelligence, content expertise and the ability to connect to students' lived experiences, and a particular pedagogical expertise that uses effort to build confidence and learning success. The article concludes by offering concrete strategies to realize these principles. The need to invest in shared learning about accomplished teaching and our diverse student population, the need to empower students and families and the need to communicate and affirm the work of accomplished teachers are emphasized.