What Does It Take To Be A Powerful Teacher?

By Mark I. Clemons

Teachers are everywhere, not just in the classroom. You are a teacher if: you are a parent or grandparent, do sales presentations, train employers, home school your kids, teach Sunday School, or are trying to persuade anyone about anything. So what do Powerful Teachers do differently? Powerful Teachers exemplify the kind of qualities that Jim Collins identifies in his book “Good to Great.” He summarizes the four levels of leadership as they are currently reflected in research and writing. And then he adds a fifth level that he says was exemplified in the leadership of all of the companies that he identifies as going from good to great and staying there. Powerful Teachers exemplify those five levels.

1. Powerful Teachers are Capable Individuals who cultivate their talents, knowledge, skills and good work habits. You may not have the best supervisor or the best facilities or the best students but you can do the best you can with what you have. Be the best teacher you can be!
   
   
2. Powerful Teachers are Contributing Team Members who contribute their capabilities to the group objectives and cooperate with others effectively in a group.Study the issues; attend conferences – state/national, network at every opportunity; work with others to forge objectives for the good of all. Get involved as much as you possibly can!
   
   
3. Powerful Teachers are Competent Managers who coordinate people and resources to pursue group objectives. Most organizations are short handed at every level and somehow no one wants to be the chair. Stick your hand up. Rise to the highest level you possibly can.
   
   
4. Powerful Teachers are Committed Leaders who catalyze commitment to a compelling group vision. Study the vision and mission of your group or organization, voice your opinion, spread the vision, and vigorously pursue that compelling vision. Commit yourself as wholly as you possibly can.
   
   
5. Powerful Teachers are Committed to the Group or Organization rather than self. A Powerful Teacher; Gets results but with compelling modesty, Does what must be done with quiet, calm determination, Settles for nothing less than great but with ambition for the group or organization rather than self; and Takes responsibility for poor results but gives credit to others for success. You too can be a Powerful Teacher!
   

Mark, M.S. ED., NBCT, NATE, Master Teacher/Author/Speaker and coauthor of “Powerful People Are Powerful Teachers,” will inspire you to Think, Learn & Act in Innovative & Successful Ways. To have Mark speak at your conference, workshop or seminar contact him @ Mark@MarkClemons.com or call 918.277.9864. Check him out at www.ClemonsCreativeLearning.com or check out how you can become a Powerful Teacher at www.PowerfulTeachers.com