Competent Teacher
• The Competent Teacher
• “Competencies.” This word is increasingly being used in education circles today. It is a description of one’s ability, a measure of one’s performance.
• A person’s competencies may be defined in terms of one’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. To understand the competencies required of a teacher, we must first define the job of a teacher.
• The task of a teacher is closely tied to the nature of the classroom. Today’s classrooms call for teachers to “prepare virtually all students for higher order thinking and performance skills once reserved to only a few” (Darling-Hammond, 2006, p. 300).
• Researchers and practitioners are becoming increasingly aware that the character of the
21st century classroom – and thus the demands on both students and teachers – is undergoing significant change.
• Teachers today need to develop a holistic array of skills – for teaching and thinking, administration and management; as A person’s competencies may be defined in terms of one’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. To understand the competencies required of a teacher, we must first define the job of a teacher.
• The task of a teacher is closely tied to the nature of the classroom. Today’s classrooms call for teachers to “prepare virtually all students for higher order thinking and performance skills once reserved to only a few” (Darling-Hammond, 2006, p. 300).
• Leadership and management
A competent teacher is a leader who wins the hearts and minds of the students. Such a teacher sees the value in developing and working with others, including parents and colleagues, and actively seeks out opportunities for professional collaboration within and beyond the school.
• Personal effectiveness
A good teacher understands the importance of developing oneself before he or she is able to provide support for others. As a professional, this teacher maintains high standards of personal and
professional