An outstanding teacher has the skills and rapport to convey content in a meaningful and accessible manner to meet the needs of their students. An outstanding teacher can connect with students and use their interests to help guide instruction and expand student horizons. In addition, the outstanding teacher should be a skilled leader who can make all students feel welcomed and valued in the classroom to motivate students to strive for their best. The ability to promote equity and reflect in teaching practices further improves one's teaching ability. An outstanding teacher will collaborate with colleagues to refine teaching practices and share ideas and continue to find ways to growth professionally.
The first step in addressing a wide range of skills and abilities in your classroom is to get to know the students to allow for student strengths and interests to help drive the learning environment. Leading about student needs, backgrounds, ambitions, goals, learning preferences, or favorite sport will all matter when addressing the needs in your classroom moving forward. After building strong connections with students, it will make facilitating differentiated instruction meaningful to content, process, and products to meet the skills and abilities in the classroom. Throughout the employing of these strategies and practices the need for reflection and refinement are necessary to help make students supported yet challenged.