Abstract
ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged many assumptions underlying education, including those related to the qualities that are most essential to being an effective teacher. We interviewed 23 state primary and secondary school teachers about what makes a great teacher during a pandemic. Two themes were identified: caring for pupil wellbeing, and dealing with uncertainty. Teachers reported that the need to demonstrate these qualities, while always important, has intensified during COVID-19. These findings indicate that teacher education and professional development programmes may benefit from recognising and assisting teachers to develop these qualities.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged many assumptions underlying education, including those related to the qualities that are most essential to being an effective teacher
We interviewed 23 state primary and secondary school teachers about what makes a great teacher during a pandemic
These findings indicate that teacher education and professional development programmes may benefit from recognising and assisting teachers to develop these qualities
Summary
The pandemic has raised the age-old question: What makes a great teacher?. Important non-cognitive qualities (aka social and emotional skills) for effective teachers have been identified in the past. A study identified that the most important non-cognitive qualities for effective teaching are: empathy and communication; organisation and planning; and resilience and adaptability (Klassen, et al, 2018). Similar qualities were identified in a meta-analysis on teachers’ personality and teacher effectiveness In a pandemic, when planning the future is difficult, it is likely that qualities akin to empathy and communication, and resilience and adaptability would be important. The current study examined what makes a great teacher during a pandemic?
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