What makes a great teacher? Some perspectives from the classroom at the British International School Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam “The great joy of being a teacher is that we are in the business of transformation.” These are the words of Sean O’Neill, Deputy Head Teacher at the British International School, HCMC, and he is right. Whether they are small transformations over a long period of time or an overnight discovery; “the great joy of being a teacher is to witness those transformations on a day to day basis.” The fact is that your child’s teachers will have a lasting impact on their world. The right person can uncover new interests, and give students the confidence to chase a bright future. Our teachers come from all around the world, but they all share a belief that an inspired student can achieve amazing things. Teaching is one of the most complex jobs a person can do. It demands a broad knowledge of subject matter, curriculum, and standards; enthusiasm, a caring attitude, and a love of learning; knowledge of discipline and classroom management techniques; and a desire to make a difference in the lives of young people. With
all these qualities required, how do you find the right teacher for your child? Great teachers have a love of learning All international schools claim to hire high quality teaching staff, and the best schools certainly attract the best teachers available. But schools are like any other organisation: they need to nurture their staff if they truly want to bring the best out of them. Don’t be afraid to ask what programmes a school has in place to help the teachers to refine and improve their teaching practice on the job. At the British International School, HCMC, our programme of continued professional development (CPD) ensures that our teachers are kept up to date with the latest teaching methodologies and ideas. It is expected that teachers will proactively continue to develop their professional knowledge whilst they are employed at the school. They are offered a wide range
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