Teaching Practice

As a school we ask many things of our teachers. Although it is difficult to list all of them, we do value certain practices and ideas as an extension of our mission and philosophy. These extend not only to the academic classroom, but also the playing fields, the dormitories, and all settings where teachers work with students.

1.  Excellent teachers are positive role models.

-They are perceived as fair by their students, by parents, and by fellow professionals in the way they carry out their activities.
-They are leaders by example in terms of conduct and demeanor.

2. Excellent teachers create a sense of community in their classrooms.

- The classroom is a positive environment in which to learn.
- A sense of structure and support are both present.
- Excellent teachers value each student.
- Excellent teachers engage students actively in the learning process.
- Excellent teachers communicate well with parents, students, and fellow professionals.

3. Excellent teachers are proactive in their work.

- They anticipate problems, and act to prevent them.
- They learn from errors.
- They make changes when needed.
- They know when to ask for help.

4.  Excellent teachers work to become experts:

- in their disciplines
- of teaching and pedagogy
- about the students in their classrooms.
-They are life-long learners.

5.  Excellent teachers accommodate different students.

- They teach to different ability levels and learning styles.
- They provide individual help and are available to offer it.
- They are flexible and adapt to different students.
- Their lessons and materials are age appropriate.

6. Excellent teachers design their courses well:

- Lessons are carefully planned and effectively delivered.
-Teaching practices and materials are regularly evaluated.

7. Excellent teachers enjoy their work and have a sense of humor.

The document "Goals for Perkiomen teachers: What excellent teachers do" is not wholly original. It is based on best practices documents such as those created by the national Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and others.