What Makes a Good Teacher?

There’s something powerful about watching your colleagues in action. You notice things you can’t always see in the hustle of your own day. And if there’s one thing I observed again and again, it’s that the best teachers are relational. They know their students, their interests, personalities, quirks, and they bring that knowledge into the classroom. I saw teachers weaving in humour, drawing on familiar examples, and creating a sense of belonging in their classrooms. A simple word of praise or a thoughtful response to a student’s contribution. These may seem like small moments, but as I was reminded in a Year 12 Advanced English class, words have power, and in the hands of a good teacher they’re used with care and purpose.

The best teachers also radiate passion. Whether it was a Year 12 Extension Maths lesson or a Year 10 History class on the Final Solution (a surprisingly heavy topic for a Friday afternoon), what stood out was the depth of subject knowledge and the excitement with which it was shared. These teachers didn’t just deliver content, they taught it. They seized teachable moments, asked the right questions, and skilfully pivoted to link student contributions back to the lesson’s purpose.

Another standout feature was the intentional planning behind each lesson. The strongest lessons had a clear trajectory, each task building toward a goal. There were no filler activities. Students weren’t just busy, they were thinking, engaging, creating. I was particularly impressed by how teachers broke up their lessons into segments, mini-discussions, quick tasks, paired work, and in doing so kept energy and focus high throughout.

The strongest lessons placed students at the centre as active participants. There was no hour-long lecture to sit through. Instead, students were invited to think critically, share their ideas, and stretch their understanding. I saw natural differentiation at work, teachers preparing extra challenge for those ready to go further, while keeping a close eye on students who needed support.

And when it comes to technology, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s a positive. Some classrooms embraced fully digital environments, using Canvas, OneNote, and gamified tools with confidence and purpose. I was especially impressed by teachers who skilfully used digital ink on their tablets, projecting content onto the board. It’s a technique I’m still aspiring to perfect. Others had gone back to pen and paper for deliberate reasons. The key wasn’t whether tech was used, but how it was used, to enhance, not distract. It was all about intentionality.

Learning at Its Best

What struck me just as much as the quality of teaching was the incredible diversity of learning experiences our students have access to. In a single week, I went from Year 12 Physics to Extension Maths to Dance, from discursive writing and using flashbacks in English to Visual Arts where students were drawing self-portraits. I witnessed Year 10 students icing cakes to theme and I managed to taste a Tim Tam in a Business Studies lesson on marketing, essential research, of course!

One History lesson had students learning about Women in Ancient Egypt, a refreshingly uplifting counterpoint to the sobering Year 10 exploration of the Holocaust. I learnt about landscapes in Geography and design thinking in Design and Technology multimedia. Meanwhile, in Health, I observed an all-girls lesson on respectful relationships, vital conversations being had with sensitivity and care.

It’s clear that our curriculum is not just broad, but thoughtfully designed to reflect the diverse interests, strengths, and aspirations of our students. Whether a student is drawn to engineering or business, performing arts or creative writing, health sciences or community services, languages or humanities, architecture or skilled trades, there is both a place and a pathway for them here at Barker.

Final Reflections

Walking through so many classrooms this week reminded me of what we’re building together as a school community. Parents, you should know, your children are in good hands. They are surrounded by teachers who not only know their subject but genuinely care. And to my fellow educators, thank you for opening your doors, for your craft, your courage, and your heart. I walked away from every lesson with a new idea, a new question, and a deeper respect for the work you do.

If Pop-in Week taught me anything, it’s that great teaching is deeply human and thoughtfully scientific. At Barker, students benefit from this kind of excellence every single day.