What makes an outstanding teacher? #KTChat Posted on 11 November 2015 by Kent-Teach in EdTech | General Thank you to those who joined us on Wednesday 4th November for our #OutstandingTeacher Twitter Chat. We had current Headteachers, James Tibbles and Graham Chisnell, join us as well as retired Headteacher, Julia Skinner, and other teaching professionals, together sharing their expertise. What a brilliant session it was! Below are the questions we asked during the chat and a summary of the fantastic contribution.Question 1:We discussed the five ingredients of an #OutstandingTeacher and the following were mentioned:Being confident and having subject expertiseHaving a passion for children’s learning and an understanding of the learning processHaving compassion, passion and energy whilst teachingHaving the ability to critically reflect a lesson to continually improve for the next oneStriking the right balance between teacher input and independent learningHaving prior experience as a Teaching Assistant so it is more effective managing TAs as a teacherFollowing Graham’s interesting comment, “Outstanding” can be perceived as having a daunting prospect around it due to its involvement in the OFSTED framework. Replacing the word with “great” could reduce pressure for those that feel compelled to deliver “outstanding” results frequently.In relation to question 1, Julia mentioned that the key is to recognise “Great” teaching when it is present and Graham agreed… This refers to positive reinforcement, “positively reinforcing the great”.The following question was then posed:Of course great teachers are present in a range of schools, not just “Outstanding” ones. For James and Graham, they conferred that some of the best teaching they’d seen were mainly in challenging schools that were going through Special Measures.Interestingly, Graham shared that some teachers are influenced into being a type of teacher that they think others want them to be, and not the teacher their children need; so ensure you recognise your children’s needs and respond well to help them learn as best they can.Question 2: It appears that exceptional teaching does not require daily outstanding lessons as it is not always possible-teachers are human and have off days too! It is fundamental that a child’s learning journey is progressive and ensures opportunity to exercise their minds to achieve their very best.But what do you think?Question 3: It was expressed that Initial Teacher Training Institutions could perhaps provide a more robust teacher training programme. A programme that prepares trainee teachers more effectively, including training to improve resiliency for the classroom.Question 4:Focus on the positives of the teaching profession to encourage children to aspire to become a teacher. Graham felt strongly that:Children are our future teachers, so let’s reflect more on the positives of the profession so children’s desire for teaching can grow. By doing this, we can contribute to unlocking their potential to becoming exceptional teachers like all passionate teachers wish to be.Let’s not forget the highpoints to teaching and the reasons why you went to university and aspired to be a teacher. It does have its challenges but nothing beats that incredible feeling when you see a child excel in an area you’d been working so hard on them with and were starting to think it would never happen!Below are some inspirational comments from Graham and James which reflect how proud they are to be teachers: We have learned that Kent is filled with outstanding teachers and schools. In our view, what defines “outstanding” or “great” is the passion, confidence and resilience teachers execute on a daily basis, as well as their love for the profession and the determination to ensure their students learn fully every day.Please feel free to share your views on the questions discussed by commenting in the comments box below; we’d love to know your thoughts on #OutstandingTeacher. You can join us again on Wednesday 3rd February 2016, for our next National Twitter Chat.