Quality Education Focuses on Teaching, Not School Facilities

On the surface, it might seem like quality facilities equal quality education. So when parents are looking at schools, many understandably assess quality based on the facilities they see or hear about.

But there’s a problem with this approach: focusing on facilities fails to consider the crucial role teachers play in your child’s education. It has been said that “great teachers can teach in a tent”. So, although a school might have wonderful facilities, if teachers are aloof, disinterested or more concerned about the school’s rankings than your child’s development, your child’s education can suffer.

Quality teachers are the real key to a quality education. But because most schools don’t showcase their teachers, it is difficult – perhaps even impossible – for parents to assess the quality of a school, so they look to the facilities for clues.

We’ll talk more about quality teaching soon, but first, let’s look at what it means to get a quality education.

What is a quality education?

You probably have a pretty good idea of what the term ‘quality education’ means, but it can be hard to define. However, it’s accepted that a quality education is key to a healthy and successful life.

The United Nations have noted the importance of a quality education, setting it as number four in their group of 17 Sustainable Development Goals. They point out that “Education enables upward socioeconomic mobility and is a key to escaping poverty.”

In their 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, point 25 of the declaration says:

“We commit to providing inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels – early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, technical and vocational training. All people… should have access to life-long learning opportunities that help them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to exploit opportunities and to participate fully in society. We will strive to provide children and youth with a nurturing environment for the full realization of their rights and capabilities, helping our countries to reap the demographic dividend including through safe schools and cohesive communities and families.”

This statement contains some vital clues about what constitutes a quality education:

• It should be inclusive and equitable – all people should have access to the same educational opportunities. This aligns with our belief that all people are made in God’s image and equal in his sight (Gen 1:27, Acts 10:34).
• It goes beyond school – education is about cultivating a love of learning and aptitude for acquiring new knowledge and skills that lasts a lifetime.
• It has a bigger purpose – quality education is much more than gaining content knowledge or technical skills. It is about being able to participate fully in society. For ACC, this encompasses the development of godly character and spiritual gifts for work and ministry.
• The educational environment matters – a nurturing environment fosters “the full realization of [a student’s] rights and capabilities”. At ACC, we pray for every student and create a supportive environment that helps each one succeed in whatever God wants them to do.
• It has a larger purpose – which includes economic progress and cohesive families and communities. Given God designed us to live in connection with himself and others, we agree that unified families and communities are a crucial goal of a high quality education.

A quality education considers the whole student, including their spiritual, social, emotional, mental, physical, and cognitive development. It aims to foster every student’s God-given character, abilities and interests to prepare them for a life of meaningful service and participation in work, home and community life.

At ACC, a quality education revolves around our mission: “To develop students who are equipped spiritually, academically, socially and physically to be a positive influence on the world.”

The role of teachers in a quality education

Now, let's steer the conversation back to the crux of quality education - exceptional teaching, with a particular focus on the significance of teacher-student relationships.

Top-notch teachers fully grasp the monumental role they hold in their students' lives. They're not just educators delivering lessons; they're partners accompanying their students on the educational journey.

A myriad of studies reiterate just how vital this connection between a teacher and their student is. When students have a positive, healthy relationship with their teachers, their likelihood of doing well academically shoots up significantly. This doesn't just happen haphazardly, though. It's the outcome of teachers making a conscious effort to nurture these relationships, making a profound difference in their students' lives.

In a nutshell, quality education heavily leans on great teaching, with the power dynamics of the classroom shifting from an authoritative teacher-student relationship to a more collaborative, mutually respectful partnership that fosters academic and personal growth.

A review by Professor John Hattie, an education expert from the University of Melbourne, found that teacher-student relationships outweighed the contribution of teachers’ subject knowledge, teacher training, curriculum, or home and school effects when it came to student achievement.

Conversely, negative interactions can have the opposite effect. A 2003 study published in Child Development, for example, found that relational negativity in Kindergarten was related to academic and behavioural outcomes through to the study’s conclusion at year eight.

Students with a good relationship with their teacher are more likely to feel positive about school, be willing to work hard, risk making mistakes, and ask for help when needed.

“Teachers who are passionate about making a difference are more likely to make a difference.” John Hattie

According to educational expert Angela Maiers – who has been exploring teacher-student relationships for more than 20 years – a positive relationship has two key elements.

1. Care

A quality teacher truly cares about their students and lets them know they are valued. They are accepting, warm and empathetic towards their students’ thoughts and feelings.

Research has shown that in a caring relationship, students show better school adjustment and achieve better marks.

Care shouldn’t be mistaken for permissiveness, though. Students thrive on order and security but need to know that teachers have their best interests in mind.

2. ‘Press’

The second element is described by Maiers as ‘press’. Teachers need to believe their students can succeed and ‘press’ them to do so, she writes.

She explains that a teacher’s beliefs about students are vital because they subconsciously influence how they treat each child. Quality teachers push their students to achieve more than they thought possible while supporting them to achieve it.

“Holding high standards without providing a warm environment is merely harsh. A warm environment without high standards lacks backbone. But if you can create a combination of high standards with a warm and supportive environment it will benefit all students, not just the high achievers.” Lee Jussim

What constitutes a great teacher contributing to quality education?

So, what exactly characterizes a great teacher within the scope of quality education?

Primarily, there are some distinct attributes that encapsulate the essence of exceptional educators. These traits include:

• The capability to promote positive behavior and exhibit a deep-rooted concern for each child's well-being, thus creating a nurturing learning environment
• A wide and profound knowledge of the relevant subject matter, which ensures that students get a comprehensive understanding of the subjects they are studying
• The proficiency in employing teaching practices that are rooted in rigorous educational research, thereby ensuring that the methods used are effective and up-to-date
• An engaging and flexible teaching style that caters to diverse student learning styles, keeping students intrigued and promoting active learning
• Strong communication skills which facilitate clear understanding and open dialogue between the teacher and students
• A deep-seated passion for young people which fuels their dedication and commitment
• An intrinsic love of learning which they instill in their students, inspiring a lifelong passion for knowledge

Additionally, and perhaps more pivotally, an array of softer skills exist that can be considered the 'secret ingredients' in the recipe for outstanding teachers. These skills encompass active listening, demonstrating empathy, exercising creative intelligence, and exhibiting patience. Excellent teachers grasp the understanding that learning is a continuous journey for students, and they, therefore, invest time to nurture and guide students along this path.

However, out of all these traits, one shines brighter – the aptitude to build genuine and meaningful relationships with students. This ability not only helps establish a strong teacher-student rapport but also enhances the learning experience, thereby contributing significantly to quality education.

Identifying key teacher characteristics

So, how do you tell a good quality teacher? Experience matters, but it’s not the most important thing. Great teachers come at all ages and stages – as do not-so-good ones.

According to Professor Rob Klassen, an educational psychologist from the University of York, research has shown that some teachers are consistently more successful than others.

His research has examined how to identify key teacher characteristics. “There can be a lot of leeway in how personal characteristics are expressed, but we want all teachers to have qualities such as empathy, resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges,” he writes in The Guardian.

He adds that some traits – like communication or organisation – can improve with professional development. But personal attributes like empathy are harder to build.

According to website teacher.org, other characteristics of great teachers include patience, passion, humour, organisation and resourcefulness. These are all qualities you can look for when talking to your child’s potential teachers.

Quality education isn’t only about academics

When we think about what really makes a good education, it's vital to appreciate that it extends beyond mere academic triumphs. Quality education, as guided by exceptional teachers, supports your child's holistic development – it nurtures their social and emotional growth, fosters their spiritual understanding, and bolsters their academic prowess.

A superb teacher will not only identify but also celebrate your child's unique abilities and talents. These could span a wide spectrum, ranging from scholastic and intellectual aptitudes to artistic, athletic, and musical skills, or even interpersonal competencies. The recognition and nurturing of these diverse talents play an essential role in the development of a well-rounded individual.

Taking a holistic teaching approach is of paramount importance in this context. This methodology ensures your child matures into a balanced young adult, one who not only comprehends but also values their unique gifts. Furthermore, such an approach cultivates an appreciation for the talents and strengths of others, fostering empathy, respect, and a spirit of collaboration.

Thus, it is the fusion of these elements—academic, social, emotional, and spiritual growth, coupled with a recognition of unique talents—that truly defines quality education.

Preparing your students for the future

Excellent facilities may be great, but it’s the teaching that will equip students for the future. Global education expert Tony Wagner questioned hundreds of business, not-for-profit and philanthropic leaders about what skills young people needed. He was surprised to find that technical competency was regularly considered to be less important than skills like critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, leadership, initiative, and effective communication.

Facilities may provide some tools of the trade, but tools constantly change, and even the best-built environment can’t instill abilities like these. In contrast, a quality teacher can help young learners develop the skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

Buildings don’t teach children, teachers do. With this in mind, sometimes growth in student numbers does necessitate new buildings, but they are not the most important attribute of a great education.

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” Carl Jung