Excellent Teachers Creating Excellent Memories | Reflections on the Characteristics of Great Teachers with ONVU Learning

Why did you become a teacher? Which teachers do you remember?

​Our sponsor, ONVU Learning thinks deeply about the dynamics of teaching and learning and reflects here on excellent teachers to inspire the next generation of teachers.

We all remember that one teacher who was more than an educator.
A Mentor, a guide, and a catalyst for personal and intellectual growth.
Their passion for their subject matter was infectious, igniting a similar enthusiasm in you.
They possessed an uncanny ability to recognise and nurture your individual strengths, encouraging you to pursue your dreams with confidence.
 
Their lessons may have extended beyond textbooks, imparting valuable life skills and wisdom that resonated long after the school bell rang. Through their unwavering support and belief, they instilled a sense of purpose and self-worth, with memories of their kindness, patience and innovative teaching methods remaining a source of inspiration.

​​Perhaps it was that inspiration that led you to teaching.

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Creating Lasting Impressions
Excellent teachers have the unique ability to create lasting, positive memories for their students, shaping their lives in profound ways. As educators, they transcend the traditional role of a subject teacher. 

Through dedication and enthusiasm, their classrooms are transformed into spaces of inspiration and discovery. They foster a love for learning, ignite passions, and build confidence, leaving an indelible mark on their students.
 
For some, the absence of such teachers in their own education becomes a powerful motivator to be the teacher they never had. These reflections underline a critical truth: inspirational teachers are not only transmitters of knowledge but are pivotal in nurturing well-rounded, motivated individuals who carry their influence long into adulthood.
 
Empowering Teachers for Excellence: Strategies to Create a Supportive, Judgment-Free Environment
Empowering teachers to excel requires a clear vision and a nurturing environment that supports their growth without judgment. Schools must foster a culture where teachers feel valued, heard, and encouraged to innovate; which means creating collaborative spaces for sharing best practice, challenges, and successes.
 
By involving teachers in decision-making processes and policy development, schools can cultivate a sense of ownership and commitment. Recognising and celebrating teachers' achievements can significantly boost morale and motivation.
 
Ensuring teachers have access to necessary resources and a supportive administration creates a foundation where they can focus on what they do best: teaching and inspiring students.
 
Tailored Teacher Professional Development: Introducing Practical, Customizable Tools
Effective teacher development must be bespoke, in recognising the varying stages of a teacher's career and their unique classroom dynamics. Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and the Early Career Framework (ECF) establish foundational practices and habits. However, further professional development needs to be adaptive, helping experienced teachers maintain good practices whilst responding to new challenges, such as changing student demographics.

Practical examples include coaching approaches to fine-tune teaching practices, growing teacher agency to encourage confident, well-chosen risks, and making it standard practice to discuss teaching methods alongside insights from authentic lesson observation feedback. This approach ensures that professional development is not a formality, but a meaningful, growth-oriented process that aligns with the evolving educational landscape.

Sustainable Strategies for Teacher and Student Success: Actionable Steps for Schools
To sustain and enhance teacher development, schools must implement strategies that ensure continuous growth and competitive advantage.

1. Keep whole school training days focused on vision and policy, rather than granular, practical implementation, allowing for a clear, unified direction.

2. Middle leaders should be equipped to evaluate the impact of actions, moving beyond mere box-ticking to genuine, impactful assessments.

3. Teachers should be provided with the tools to play, practise and perform, and the confidence to know that they will be supported and judged fairly - including fostering an ingrained understanding of their cohort's needs, interests, curriculum demands, and expected outcomes.

​By embedding these sustainable strategies, schools can create an environment where both teachers and students thrive, ensuring long-term success and a lasting positive impact on the educational community.

How is ONVU Learning Supporting Teachers and Schools to Create Lasting Impressions
ONVU Learning’s complete 360-degree lesson capture solution helps educators to reflect, collaborate and analyse the entire teaching and learning process. By using 360-degree cameras, your teachers can capture the entire classroom allowing them to review and share clips of best practice from our web-based platform, to improve teaching techniques and empowering teacher autonomy.
 
Schools across the country have been implementing ONVU Learning to enhance their Early Career Framework programmes, to enhance and scale effective Teacher Continuous Professional Development programmes, and ultimately, to improve teaching standards and learning outcomes.
 
Learning is a complex process in which teachers are pivotal.

If teachers are to be effective contributors to children’s change in behaviours, attitudes, knowledge and skills then they need a tool that helps them see teaching and learning inside their
classroom with clarity and without judgement.

By putting the teacher in the driving seat, ONVU Learning allows you to customise your professional development by choosing which lessons to record, choosing what to share and what to keep private, tag and comment on key moments during your lesson and collaborate with colleagues without taking up valuable resource time.

To Find Out More
Join ONVU Learning at a FREE webinar on Excellent Teachers Create Excellent Memories on Thursday 11 July 2024 from 0830 – 0900.
 
Hosted by ONVU Learning’s Matt Tiplin and Stella James, you will explore transformative strategies that empower teachers to excel in order to enhance student achievements.
                       
You will also look at personalised development plans that combine the best practices of memorable teaching with innovative growth opportunities tailored for teachers.

register here | Excellent Teachers Create Excellent Memories webinar

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