Interestingly Though this article is referring to schools, the point in the title is an accepted part of the Natural Learning process. The title is the first step a person should take before choosing any mentor in any area of learning.
Kent

What does it take to be an inspirational teacher? As the school year began, I had the chance to find out. It was fascinating.

And I can tell you now that the answer is both simple and complex, but I will come to that in a moment.

First let me tell you why I have been wandering into classrooms throughout the UK.

As one of a team of judges in the annual Teaching Awards I have been trying to pick the UK’s most outstanding new teacher.

I am afraid I cannot give you the results now - the national awards ceremony is not until next month - but I can tell you what made these teachers so impressive.

"Hang on a minute," I can hear some of you saying, "how can anyone decide who is the best new teacher in Britain?"

When the Teaching Awards were invented, critics opposed the whole notion for being highly subjective, for ignoring the importance of team-work in teaching, and for being a lottery when there are half a million teachers out there.

While there is some truth in these objections, they rather miss the point.

Pupils liked teachers who did not talk down to them.

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