Master Teacher
Voices From the Field -Robert L. DeBruyn & Tracey H. DeBruyn
Brilliant
I had the honor of studying this in the MASSP Path To Leadership program and now use it as a book study in my school.
It will indeed empower your school and staff.
Richard Thompson
Voices from the Field
Swartz Creek Academy Team 2016 Book Study
- The 13 core beliefs all master teachers hold in common.
- The 10 characteristics that all teachers must have if they have any chance of becoming a master teacher.
- The relative importance of passion for teaching, passion for content, and subject matter mastery to master teaching.
- Why it's vital to have a desire to be excellent.
- The role of respect in causing students to achieve.
- The importance of high expectations for self and for students.
This book will:
- Identify goals teachers should strive for as professionals.
- Guide teachers in developing a personal improvement plan that leads to mastery.
- Provide administrators with characteristics to look for in new hires.
By Professor Hammond, MASSP
I recently read the book, Voices from the Field: What is a Master Teacher by DeBruyn and DeBruyn. Not only does it highlight what teachers, principals and superintendents define as a master teacher, but the research behind our beliefs support high-quality teacher habits. The list below is what a master teacher believes in and practices almost every day.
- The master teacher believes that teaching is both an art and a science and is affected by both teacher attitudes and skills.
- The master teacher’s work begins with and is supported by core beliefs about learning, learners, and the value of teaching and learning to society as a whole.
- Master teachers believe they must be student-centered and that all students can learn.
- Master teachers believe that they are the catalysts for student learning.
- The master teacher is a lifelong learner and a reflective practitioner.
- The master teacher is highly effective with all types of learners, and his or her students demonstrate that they are prepared for learning at the next level as a result of his or her teaching.
- The master teacher is respectful of students, parents, and colleagues.
- The master teacher is a mentor, coach, and advocate for students and colleagues.
- The master teacher is highly competent in his or her subject matter and is passionate about what he or she teaches and for learning as a whole. As a result, he or she engenders in students a passion for learning.
- The master teacher believes that high expectations, good relationships with students, and working cooperatively with colleagues are vital keys to being a master teacher.
- The master teacher has a concern for the whole student, whole school, whole district, whole community, and whole of the profession.
- Master teaching requires knowing students as well as the teacher knows the curriculum in order to inspire and motivate students and fit the curriculum to students. This is vital because fitting students to the curriculum will not result in learning for a large percentage of the class.
- The master teacher gives back to the profession in many ways, including by nurturing the desire in others that they too can and should aspire to be master teachers.
When I first read the book, I liked the list so I created a poster and hung it by the copy machine. What I did not realize then was that this master teacher exists, performs, and brings the best out of students right in my own building.
Thanks for reading and I do hope you are having a fabulous school year!