Teaching = Talent

I recently read an article in "New York Times Magazine" about what makes a good teacher. The conclusion of the article was very good, as it determined that quality teachers are highly skilled and talented in the art of teaching. It described a disconnect between how we train teachers and what good teachers are able to do. It has apparently become evident that we struggle to teach teachers how to teach effectively. The article discusses possible reasons for this. One main reason is that good teachers have broken the day into nuances and small decisions that shape and frame their classroom. What you say, how you say it, and where you say it all have meaning. I completely and totally agree with the conclusion of this article.

Quality teaching is an art that requires practice and in depth understanding of how to read people and situations. This is why not everyone is capable of teaching, and why some of our most famous quotes are so frustrating. "Teachers aren't all that smart in their content area." "How hard can it be, you get the summers off and you only work from 8-3." "If you have a degree, then you can definitely teach." "Teachers are all so great and do such a wonderful job." I add the last quote because I don't believe that people really mean it (lip service), especially since it is statistically impossible for every teacher to be that great.

We need to increase exposure for high quality teachers, and do a better job of recognizing teachers for what they do. I honestly believe that most people are somewhat unclear of what quality teachers do day in and day out. They are unaware of the time, energy, and effort that is applied to ensure that students are succeeding. One reason could be that everyone went to school, so they believe they know what's going on in the classroom. We should probably share every detail, nuance, and decision we make throughout a day, so that they truly understand the complexity and difficulty of the job.

What are some of the small details/nuances of teachers' jobs that make them "high quality?"