Inspired Teaching
Inspired Teacher
by Carol Frederick Steele
Carol Frederick Steele’s book The Inspired Teacher looks at what it takes to go beyond ‘traditional teaching’ and become ‘inspired’. She says: “Teachers can go further, though not all do. Some continue to seek new information and implement it throughout their careers. They learn to anticipate student reactions, and they fine-tune every lesson to ameliorate problems they expect will arise. They take inspiration from everything and, in turn, inspire their students and colleagues. Whether quiet or effusive, they have a profound effect on student learning. These teachers perform at a level that I call “inspired.”
She goes on to say: “Inspired teaching has two important characteristics. First, inspired teachers have absorbed and developed a large body of knowledge about their subject and about teaching well. They have mastered this information and use it effectively with ease. Second, they take inspiration from their students; every student reaction is a subtle signal used to mold more effective instruction. Inspired teachers read students and environments so well that their teaching appears intuitive. If asked why they chose a particular instructional method, they will describe reasons based on pedagogical wisdom, not whim. Because so many decisions are instantaneous, however, they discover the reasons as they explain them. Only later, when time permits, do they unpack all their thinking.”
This concept of Inspired Teaching goes hand in hand with Discovery Learning. Effective teaching is about inspiring a love of learning and passion for a subject in students. It is not inherent in that some teachers just know how to instill this love; it can be learned. Teachers and school leaders who value higher level thinking, problem solving, and making learning meaningful go above and beyond the traditional approach to teaching. They are inspired.
