Good Teachers Change Lives

Effective lesson plans, well-behaved students, and awards of recognition are often used to define what it means to be a good teacher. But, at Operation Shoestring, we also distinguish great teachers by their character, compassion, courage, and commitment.

We understand that a great teacher is fueled by passion. Inside and outside of the classroom, this passion translates into high expectations for student achievement and inspiration for the children they influence.

“Good teachers may affect students much more broadly than through their impact on achievement test scores,” explains C. Kirabo Jackson, an economics professor at Northwestern University.

When teachers are at their best, student achievement levels rise to meet teacher expectations and classroom standards. Open-minded, understanding, goal-oriented teachers, who avoid a cookie-cutter approach to instructing and focus on academic and personal development, create a comfortable yet enriching environment for learning, growth, and discovery. This environment helps ensure the best possible outcomes for youth by inspiring creativity and promoting the desire not only to learn but excel.

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