What makes a good teacher in K-12 grades? Size? Shape? Color? Age?

Probably not.

Well, how about college grades, graduate degrees or teacher certification?

Better, maybe.

Well then, how about adding to that list excellent classroom management, knowledge of subject matter taught, and state-of-the-art teaching techniques?

These are only the building blocks of a good teacher. No matter how they're stacked, though, they need strongly cured mortar to create a solid structure that will endure all the storms that blow during the average teacher's career. How do you find a good teacher?

Good Teachers Help Students Achieve Dreams

Good teachers need a special, strong-as-steel constitution for this job that demands much and offers no real chance for advancement and pays less well than other professions. They need fortitude, persistence and patience to keep them motivated when political interests rule in their school, parents and administrators criticize and demand, kids disrespect them and paperwork abounds.

Good teachers are caring, empathetic people whose work is respected by good supervisors, their peers, sincere parents and students alike. They may not have the highest G.P.A. from the most impressive college, but they work hard and gear their teaching to getting their message through to most of their students, most of the time.

Good teachers have a sense of humor and the patience of Job.

They contact parents, sometimes at night, and return phone calls promptly.

They are willing to try new ideas, no matter who suggests them (even parents and students).

Good Teachers Cater to All Learning Types

They make the time to sit down with a frustrated student and carefully explain the solution to a difficult math problem and stay after school to allow kids to do make-up work.

They love their subject and want their students to love it, too.

Good teachers are mentors who "stand on their heads" to discover ways to get kids to feel good about themselves and about learning.

They try many approaches, including meaningful group tasks, that helps slower students gain self-esteem and quicker students learn leadership skills and reinforce concepts.

They are positive and flexible.

Good Teachers Administer Positive Discipline in Schools

They establish classroom rules and see that they are enforced consistently with everyone.

They never humiliate a child in front of his peers, but address his problems privately, with respect and dignity for the child.

They are fair and objective and don't hold grudges.

They never intimidate or control or make meaningless threats.

They have a smile and a hug available for any kid who really needs nurturing because they value the individual more than they value the subject matter.

They sit in their rooms with the door open at the end of a long day.

These are the teachers that shine. There are many of them in every school district in American and responsible parents owe it to their children to find them and then to make sure their children are taught by the real pros.

Remember, your child's future is your primary concern.