What Makes a Good Teacher?: Values in Educational Practice

By Karen McArdle, Alison Hurrell, Penny Ogden

This fascinating book explores the true essence of teaching, serving as a compass for both new and experienced primary educators. It explores the fundamental purpose and profound joy that comes with being a teacher, offering a perfect blend of research-backed insights and practical wisdom, and the opportunity to reflect on your own values and your approaches to teaching.

Drawing on the authors' own experiences, each chapter weaves together evidence-based approaches with reflective practices, demonstrating how your authentic self - your values, beliefs, and actions - form the foundations of effective teaching. Through engaging chapters on leadership, trust-building, resilience and the cultivation of kindness, this book offers clear pathways to:

Develop inclusive classroom environments where curiosity and creativity flourish; Build a teaching philosophy grounded in children's rights and social justice; Navigate the challenges of modern education while prioritizing your wellbeing and mental health; Understand the unique qualities and skills you bring to the classroom.

Incorporating cutting-edge research, reflective questions and practical advice, this empowering guide provides the insights and inspiration you need to flourish as a teacher.

Whether you're a seasoned educator or just beginning your career, this compassionate and insightful resource provides the expertise and the challenges to make a lasting difference in the lives of your learners and helps you rediscover the satisfaction that comes from teaching at your best.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032678305
• ISBN13: 9781032678306
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 192 Pages