I Have Found My Topic

It all began with a little curiosity. After speaking with a friend and seeing the movie last week, I began to wonder What makes a teacher great? Research shows that both schools and students are successful due to the greatness of their teachers. They (whoever they are) have followed students for several years, watched test scores, and have observed the cream of the crop in action. Many charter schools and teaching organizations such as Teach for America are committed to having the best of the best work for them. All this research is great and gives us information based on the data collectors and statisticians, but I wanted to know how students define a great teacher. Does their definition match up to what the experts say? So I decided to ask some of my students from the past and present. (Thank you, Facebook.)

If only my brain would stop there. It didn’t. I began wondering about how parents would respond to the question. Do parents focus on their children doing well on the test and getting good grades? Is it about what degree the teacher holds and/or how much classroom experience they have? What qualities do they want a teacher to possess to ensure their children are successful? Another population of Facebook friends I requested join the discussion.

Once my brain started spinning, it didn’t stop there. Soon I included teachers. A research project has begun. I want to go beyond the students, teachers, and parents that are in my social network and expand my database to the nation as a whole. Not only do I want to know how we as a nation define what makes a great teacher, I want to know what other countries think. I want to go and observe teachers who are purported to be great. I interested in what students, teachers, and parents think, along with how our legislators define a great teacher. Most importantly, I want to know how they all mesh together. Do we all have the same vision?

I really don’t know what will come out of all this. I realize what began as a way to answer one question has grown much larger. Ever since I began this blog, people have suggested I write a book. I am flattered at their confidence, but had no idea what my topic would be. Until now. I know I would like to publish my findings in some way. I have no idea if people will be interested in what I have to say. I would like to think so. I think back to one of my great teachers, Jeff Wilhelm. Somewhere while participating in the National Writing Project as a graduate student, he became a catalyst for me to see myself as a writer. Now it is time to see what the writer in me will create.

Want your voice to be heard? What do you think makes not a good teacher, but a GREAT teacher?