The document outlines the most important qualities of an outstanding educator according to the author. The key qualities are: having strong classroom management skills through well-planned engaging lessons, caring deeply about students' success both inside and outside the classroom, using student data to customize instruction to meet individual needs, and maintaining a realistic yet positive mindset when faced with challenges. These qualities allow educators to rise above mediocre teachers and truly impact their students.

1. The Most Important Qualities of an Outstanding Educator
by Neil Dembeck
How profound a thought! How important a topic! What qualities separate a
mediocre educator from a good one? Or, moreover, what qualities separate a good one
from a great one? And how do the truly outstanding educators distinguish themselves?
Well, speaking as one I can tell you how I have separated myself from the rest of the
pack over the last 13 years educating young people. Whether it is with youngsters at the
age of 2 (with whom I’ve worked) or with high school seniors (also with whom I’ve
worked) command of a classroom – particularly in my subject area of Physical Education
– is the foundation of paramount importance.
With classroom management as the foundation, an educator can do everything
else they need to do to effectively teach. But what lies at the foundation of classroom
management? In my opinion, a good, solid, thorough lesson plan is at the heart of a
well-managed classroom. If the students are engaged in the lesson’s topic (i.e. are truly
interested and invested) then they are far more likely to behave and remain on-task.
The rules and expectations are clear and fairly enforced. Additionally, I believe the
students should take ownership of the rules and expectations of the class so as to lessen
the “punitive mentality” and augment the guided correction mentality. This creates an
environment of mutual respect where schoolwork is the chief focus.
I also believe that outstanding educators are outstanding because they are in the
line of work for the right reasons. They care. They want to help. They have their

2. students best interests at heart. They want to see their students succeed in class and,
more importantly, in life. As someone wise once said about teaching, “it’s not about the
income – it’s about the outcome.”
From a different standpoint, many teachers elevate themselves to the upper-tier
by creatively utilizing relevant data. The use of beginning-of-the-year data can serve as a
springboard for the curriculum and instruction the rest of the year. Personally I always
use fitness data from the beginning of the year to customize my instruction the rest of
the year. I have found that an assessment of needs based on data can revolutionize my
instructional approach not only for individual students but for a class on the whole.
Finally, an outstanding teacher is realistic. They have flaws and understand that
students have flaws. We all make mistakes. It’s about how we respond to the mistakes
that matter. They understand that sometimes, no matter what, some students will
misbehave and/or fail to do their best no matter how interesting they make the
curriculum. In response, an outstanding teacher presses on and searches for other ways
to get through to a student. They don’t let a bad day create a bad week. And, at all
costs, they look for the good in any situation.
This, in my opinion, is what makes an outstanding educator.