What Makes a Good Teacher?: Values in Educational Practice

This fascinating book explores the true essence of teaching, serving as a compass for both new and experienced primary educators. It explores the fundamental purpose and profound joy that comes with being a teacher, offering a perfect blend of research-based insights and practical wisdom, and the opportunity to reflect on your own values and your approaches to teaching.

Drawing on the authors’ own experiences, each chapter weaves together evidence-based approaches with reflective practices, demonstrating how your authentic self - your values, beliefs and actions - form the foundations of effective teaching. Through engaging chapters on leadership, trust-building, resilience and the cultivation of kindness, this book offers clear pathways to:

• Develop inclusive classroom environments where curiosity and creativity flourish;
• Build a teaching philosophy grounded in children’s rights and social justice;
• Navigate the challenges of modern education while prioritizing your wellbeing and mental health;
• Understand the unique qualities and skills you bring to the classroom.

Incorporating cutting-edge research, reflective questions and practical advice, this empowering guide provides the insights and inspiration you need to flourish as a teacher.

Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just beginning your career, this compassionate and insightful resource provides the expertise and the challenges to make a lasting difference in the lives of your learners and helps you rediscover the satisfaction that comes from teaching at your best.

Karen McArdle is Professor Emeritus of Education at the University of Abeerdeen and an Honorary Professor at the University of Dundee, UK. She has spent a third of her working life in Australia and two thirds in Scotland.

Alison Hurrell was a teacher of modern languages for 21 years in West Lothian, Scotland, before being seconded to reintroduce modern languages into the primary school. She then went into teacher education in Aberdeen working with primary and secondary students and Continuing Professional Development in both sectors.

Penny Ogden has thoroughly enjoyed teaching in 3 very different English primary schools, over a number of years. During this time, she always wanted to remain in the classroom. This included a wide variety of different management roles, which also included being part of the Senior Management and working as the Lead Practitioner.

John Forrester has over 23 years of experience working in both mainstream and special schools in England and Scotland. Between 2014-2020, he was the head teacher for a rural mainstream primary school and most recently the head teacher for a Complex Needs special school.