Month: November 2025

Good teachers are effective and can make a difference in the lives of the students they interact with daily. Teaching is a fulfilling and rewarding profession that offers opportunities to help children become self-aware individuals and a platform for educators to share their passion in the classroom. With so many schools looking for qualified teachers, how can you stand out from the crowd?

The key is to showcase your high-quality teaching skills. Schools are looking for teachers who are passionate about their work and have the drive to help their students succeed. They also want teachers who are knowledgeable about current educational practices and can implement them in the classroom. And finally, schools want teachers who are good people managers and can create a positive learning environment for their students.

If you have all of these qualities, then you’re a prime candidate for any school looking to hire a teacher. The best way to showcase your skills in each of these areas is through your resume, cover letter, and interview.

In this article, we’ll give you tips on how you can be the high-quality teacher that schools are looking to attract going forward.

Who Are High Quality Teachers?

According to the National Teacher Assessment (NTA), high-quality teachers are those who are knowledgeable in their subject area, have strong classroom management skills, and know how to engage students in learning.

But that’s not all. High-quality teachers are also compassionate and patient educators who care about their students and want to see them succeed. They understand that every student is unique and deserves individual attention.

If you’re interested in becoming a high-quality teacher, then make sure you have the right combination of skills, passion, and dedication. It is definitely worth it!

What Characteristics do High-Quality Teachers Possess?

When you’re looking to become a teacher, it’s important to know what qualities high-quality teachers possess. After all, you want to be the best teacher you can be, which will require some effort on your part.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Below are some of the key characteristics that high-quality teachers share. So, take a look, see where you need to improve, and take action.

First and foremost, high-quality teachers are patient and good listeners. They also possess a wealth of knowledge and can communicate effectively with students of all ages. Additionally, they are creative problem solvers and can think on their feet. And finally, they are always willing to learn and continue growing as educators.

How Can I Become a High-Quality Teacher?

So, you want to be a high-quality teacher? Well, congratulations! It is not an easy job, but it’s one of the most rewarding careers out there. Below are some suggestions to help you get started.

First, be certain that you are passionate about teaching. It’s not always glamorous, but if you are passionate about making a difference in kids’ lives, then you’re already on the right track.

Second, get certified. Teaching is a highly regulated profession, so ensure you have the proper qualifications before looking for jobs. While some countries were lax in this area, that has slowly but surely changed. Take the time to get a teacher certification with a university-sponsored or monitored practicum, and you will be one step closer to becoming a high-quality educator.

Third, get experience. Teaching is all about practice—the more experience you have, the better teacher you’ll be. There are many ways to gain experience, from student teaching to volunteering in your community.

Fourth, be a lifelong learner. As a teacher, it’s your responsibility to keep learning about new teaching methods and strategies. The world of education is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

The Benefits of Being a High-Quality Teacher

When you’re a high-quality teacher, you’re in high demand.

Schools are always looking for qualified teachers who can engage their students and help them learn. And when you have the skills and qualifications that schools are looking for, they’ll be happy to hire you.

Plus, being a high-quality teacher comes with various benefits. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference in students’ lives, and you’ll also enjoy better working conditions and higher pay.

So, what are you waiting for? Become a high-quality teacher and enjoy all the rewards that come with it!

How High-Quality Teachers Are Making a Difference

When looking for a teaching position, it’s important to know that if hired, you will be tasked with making a difference in the lives of your students. That’s why we take an extreme focus on recruiting only the highest-quality teachers.

We believe that every student deserves the best education, and that’s only possible with teachers who are passionate about their work and committed to their students’ success.

We’re proud to say that we’ve helped countless teachers find rewarding and successful careers in education. And we are always looking for more talented and dedicated educators to join our TEAM.

So, if you’re ready to make a difference, we would love to hear from you.

The Future of High-Quality Teaching

The future of high-quality teaching is looking bright, and you can be part of it. With the demand for qualified educators rising all over the world, there is no better time to get into the teaching profession.

At 1TEAM International, we pride ourselves on recruiting only the best and most qualified teachers. We have a rigorous selection process, and only those who exceed our expectations are offered a position with the schools we service. Our clients have demanded the best teachers that are experienced, certified, dedicated, dependable, and ready to make a difference in the classroom.

Schools worldwide struggle to find qualified teachers, and many are willing to pay top dollar for the best talent. So, if you’re thinking of making a career change and becoming a teacher, now is definitely the time to do it.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an opportunity to teach in an international school, we are the perfect partner for you. Our high-quality teacher clients are the best in the industry, and we are committed to finding the perfect position for each and every one of them. If you are a high-quality teacher, feel free to send us your resume for review and consideration.

James McLaughlin, DBA, MEd

Leadership is about doing what is right, and not what is quick and easy.

All of us have encountered leaders in different contexts. Whether it is our parents, teachers, coaches, or organizational leaders, they hold the power in their hands to influence us. You may not always be able to precisely define good or bad leadership. But you will almost always know it when you see it.

Great leaders elevate you, making you believe in your abilities and that if you tried hard enough there is nothing you cannot do. In contrast, bad leaders demean you and make you feel that no matter how hard you try, you will never succeed. Transformational leaders are empathetic and have the ability to inspire confidence in others.

What exactly do transformational leaders do that elevate you? How do you become a transformational leader yourself?

Transformational leadership: What is it?

The concept of transformational leadership was first introduced in 1978 by James MacGregor Burns. Transformational leadership, according to Burns, is when leaders and followers help each other to advance to greater levels of motivation and morale. He established two concepts- transformational leadership and transactional leadership. The “transforming” approach creates positive change in the lives of people and organizations. It changes the expectations and aspirations and redesigns the values and perceptions of people. On the other hand, the transactional approach is more of a “give and take” relationship.

Put simply, a transformational leader is someone that transforms their followers. They transform their followers into becoming leaders themselves. Transformational leadership brings about positive change in followers, change that can grow and shape the future of the organization.

Transformational leaders “transform” their followers to look out for each other, help each other, and look out for the organization as a whole. They enhance motivation, morale, and subsequently the performance of those that follow them. How do they do that? By connecting the follower’s sense of self and identity to the collective identity of the organization. These leaders become role models for their followers, inspiring them and challenging them to take greater ownership of their work. Transformational leaders also go to great lengths to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their followers. Doing so helps them align their followers to tasks that bring out the best performance in them.

Transformational leaders help their followers transform into leaders by understanding their needs and empowering them by aligning their goals with that of the organization. Transformational leadership has been known to move followers to exceed expectations when it comes to delivering performance. It also leads to high levels of commitment and satisfaction among the followers.

There are four critical components of transformational leadership:

Idealized Influence

Transformational leaders act in ways that make their followers see them as role models. That is why it is also called charismatic leadership. Transformational leaders are admired, respected, and most importantly, trusted. Followers are inspired by them and desire to become like them. These leaders do not shy away from risks. You can trust them to do the right thing and display high moral and ethical standards.

Inspirational Motivation

These leaders challenge their followers with high standards and communicate optimism about future goals. The optimism and challenge make the task at hand a lot more meaningful. Leaders with inspirational motivation give a strong sense of purpose to their followers. Purpose and meaning are strong drivers of motivation and help a group to move forward. Transformational leaders are able to articulate the vision of the organization, making it understandable, inspiring, and appealing. Their followers are, therefore, willing to invest more effort in their work, because they believe in their abilities and at the same time, are optimistic about the future. Transformational leaders create an environment for a shared vision and a commitment to goals.

Intellectual Stimulation

Intellectual stimulation refers to the degree that a transformational leader takes risks, challenges assumptions, and solicits ideas from their followers. Such leaders encourage and stimulate creativity and innovation in their followers. They appreciate and nurture people who can think independently. Transformational leaders value learning and they look for opportunities to learn even in unexpected situations. Their followers are encouraged to ask questions, think out of the box, and find better and more efficient ways to accomplish their tasks.

Individualized Consideration

This refers to the degree that a transformational leader pays attention to their followers’ needs. They act as a mentor to each follower and take the time to understand their needs and concerns. They are empathetic and supportive. These leaders encourage open communication and continuously challenge their followers to come out of their comfort zone. They also appreciate and respect each follower and celebrate the contribution that each one of them makes to the TEAM. Followers of such leaders work continuously to develop their potential and upgrade their skills.

There have been numerous transformational leaders in history. Even today, there are many transformational leaders that people look up to and want to emulate.

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most popular celebrities in the world. She hosted the famous “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” one of the highest-rated talk shows in the history of entertainment. Winfrey is also one of the first few black billionaires in North America. Despite spending her early years in poverty, Winfrey’s charismatic leadership style helped her connect with people from diverse backgrounds. She is able to inspire her staff to turn her vision into reality, without compromising on mass appeal.

Hubert Joly is the CEO of Best Buy who took on the reins of the troubled store in 2012. During this time even industry leaders believed that Amazon would bury Best Buy in no time. It was Joly’s vision that took Best Buy from a store selling CDs to becoming a store that enriched people’s lives. He transformed the product line, price, and delivery times. Best Buy’s stocks were tanking at $23.70 in 2012 which rose to $120 in October 2020 under the guidance and leadership of Hubert Joly.

The Impact on the Organization

Organizations today have become incredibly advanced. That’s why they require new leaders who can foster innovation to improve organizational performance. Transformational leadership influences the assumptions and attitudes of an organization’s employees, creating a common mentality to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. That is why transformational leadership generates higher performance than transactional leadership.

We live in an age of information. Managing knowledge and innovation are key to creating workflows that improve organizational performance. Transactional leaders maintain compliance through rewards and punishments. On the other hand, transformational leaders act in ways that inspire and motivate their TEAM members to strive outside of their comfort zone. Instead of being the “boss,” they work as partners to boost TEAM morale and unleash the hidden potential of their TEAM members. These constructive changes have a positive impact on the organization too. Transformational leaders are also usually more charismatic, which is why they can gain the trust and loyalty of their TEAM members easily.

Here’s how transformational leadership can impact the organization:

Establish Strong Relationships

Employee loyalty is one of the biggest resources of an organization. You can only have a strong business if you have loyal employees who are willing to walk the extra mile for your organization. Transformational leaders are cognizant of the fact that you must build healthy relationships within the organization if you want to earn your TEAM’s trust. Healthy and honest relationships are built on clear and transparent communication. If you want to build strong relationships within your TEAM, you need to minimize conflicts within the TEAM. You also need to work on upskilling your employees so that they feel valued working for the organization. Transformational leaders eliminate unnecessary conflicts, foster healthy relationships, and bring about harmony within the TEAM.

The following Richard Branson quote sums up transactional leadership:

Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so that they don’t want to.

Creates the Right Influence

Successful leadership is about influence and not authority. Transformational leaders model the behavior that they want their TEAM members to display. They not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. They quickly grasp the needs of their TEAM members and work to address them. It helps them earn the trust and respect of their TEAM members. A TEAM that trusts its leaders works harder to achieve objectives, which enhances business growth in the long run.

Boosts Enthusiasm and Motivation

Transformational leaders are not only good at influencing people but are also adept at analyzing the gaps in a company’s vision. When it is revealed that a company’s vision is flawed, it does not stop these leaders from creating a new one. They use their charisma and communication skills to explain the vision to their TEAM members, getting everyone on board.

The real secret to success is enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. Transformational leaders are enthusiastic and exude positivity that rubs on the people around them. They use their behavior and communication skills to boost employee morale and drive motivation. The ability to motivate and effective communication create higher employee engagement enhancing trust and loyalty.

Encourages Learning and Creativity

Besides encouraging their employees to work towards a common goal, and improve morale and satisfaction, transformational leaders also encourage learning. They understand that learning is not limited to a classroom environment. Every experience can offer something to learn. For this very reason, they create opportunities for their TEAM members to continue to learn. It could be through new responsibilities or new challenges. They help employees get out of their comfort zone, helping them discover their hidden talents and capabilities.

When employees grow, so does your business. Transformational leaders know how to keep their TEAM members engaged, creating new learning opportunities to help them grow continuously.

Increase Employee Retention

According to a study, retaining high potential employees at all levels is strongly linked to an organization’s ability to meet and exceed financial targets. There is no doubt that you must retain your employees if you want your business to succeed. Hiring and training new employees costs a lot more than retaining your existing ones. Plus, a high employee turnover also has a detrimental effect on your TEAM’s morale, and may also create roadblocks in your processes.

Transformational leaders boost employee morale by helping them gain personal satisfaction. Because they can make the employees feel valued, they are successful at retaining more employees than transactional leaders. They inspire their employees and gain their trust and respect. These leaders help their TEAMs improve their performance without micromanagement. As a result, TEAM members respect, admire, and trust their leader, and find fewer reasons to quit the organization.

Transformational leadership does not immediately or directly translate into better organizational performance. Instead, it creates a higher level of commitment to the organization and trust in the leader. It is this commitment and trust that motivates employees to deliver superior performance.

Are Transformational Leaders Born or Made?

This is one of those questions that have been debated over and over by scholars all over the world. Transformational leaders are usually charismatic, which creates the belief that they were born with it. However, there is a growing body of research that there are many influences on the leadership style of a person. We believe that transformational leadership can be learned.

If you listen to the people whose lives have been touched by amazing leaders, you will realize it was the small things that the leader did that made such a big difference. The leaders did not do those things because they had to but rather because they chose to. These leaders did not make the gesture because they had time and were not busy. Instead, they did it despite being busy which made their followers feel even more appreciated. Transformational leadership does not require big gestures from leaders. Rather it is the small things that make a huge difference in the long run.

So, if you want to become a transformational leader yourself, how do you do that?

Understand Your Own Leadership Style

Everyone is unique and so is their leadership style. Therefore, it is important that you understand your own leadership style. Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? Identifying your strong and weak points will help you figure out which qualities are helping and which are hindering your leadership skills. Knowing your areas of improvement can help you take concrete steps to address them, helping you become a better leader.

Encourage Your Followers to Be Creative

If you want to keep your employees engaged, you need to offer adequate intellectual stimulation. Instead of performing a task like a robot, encourage your followers to ask questions and express their creativity. Effective leaders not only offer support but also challenges that help employees grow. To become a transformational leader, you should be able to encourage and motivate your employees to come up with creative solutions to problems.

Intellectually stimulating challenges are one of the best ways to encourage creativity in your TEAM members. Such challenges help your TEAM to push their boundaries of creativity, without having to worry about success barriers.

Become a Role Model

Becoming a role model for others is one of the critical components of transformational leadership. It is because employees see them as role models; they respect them and try to emulate their behavior. In simple terms, you need to become a role model yourself for the qualities you want to see in your TEAM members. If you want them to be punctual, you need to ensure that you always arrive on time.

Be Passionate About Your Goals

People with great passion can make the impossible happen. And that is so true about transformational leaders. Transformational leaders not only ensure to get their work done, but they also display genuine passion and enthusiasm for their work. These leaders do not just have passion but also find ways to express it through their behavior and actions. Keeping the lines of communication open ensures that your TEAM members feel comfortable contributing freely. Ensure to always appreciate and recognize your TEAM members for their contribution to achieving the goals. Transformational leaders are passionate about their goals, and they have the ability to bring out the same passion in others too.

Improve Your Listening and Communication Skills

Transformational leaders are exceptionally good at communication. If you want to become one yourself, you also need to improve your communication skills. They encourage open communication within their TEAMs. These leaders care about their TEAM members and show genuine concern both verbally and through their actions. They encourage feedback and do not get defensive when they receive criticism from their TEAM members. Transformational leaders ensure that they never miss an opportunity to appreciate and recognize their TEAM member’s contribution to achieving the goals.

Develop a Positive Attitude

Attitude decides altitude. A positive attitude is truly capable of making your dreams come true. Transformational leaders inspire their followers. When TEAM members see their leader enthusiastic about a task, they feel enthusiasm too. Similarly, if they see their leader dejected and discouraged, they will not be motivated to deliver inspiring work. Good leaders maintain a positive attitude, regardless of how bleak the situation looks. Even when things are not going as expected, transformational leaders remain positive. However, that in no way means that they are not realistic. When things don’t go your way, transformational leaders do not despair but look for alternate ways to get the job done. Being positive and optimistic are some of the important traits of a transformational leader.

Encourage Your Employees to Contribute

Transformational leaders welcome ideas from their TEAM members. They encourage them to share ideas and look for ways to involve them in their work. Although the leader has the final say, they still encourage TEAM members to come up with innovative solutions to complete the task at hand. Leaders that encourage their employees to contribute have a higher commitment, improve productivity, and inspire creative solutions to problems.

Why Are Some Leaders Averse to Change?

Change is the way of life. Transformational leaders accept this fact and are always ready to embrace change. However, there are many people in leadership positions who are afraid to challenge the status quo. This hinders progress. If you are not willing to accept change, you cannot have a transformative impact on your employees or the organization.

Many leaders resist change because they do not want to accept accountability. Being responsible and accountable for something requires real work. You have to be aware of what you don’t know and reach out to others for help. However, if you are unwilling to accept accountability, you will not be able to claim the trust of your TEAM members.

Taking risks is in the job description of a leader. However, some people do not want to take risks for fear of putting their reputation at stake. If you want real change, you will have to embrace risk too. Transformational leaders learn to expect the unexpected and create a work environment that allows people to work well even under pressure.

Leaders that do not have an entrepreneurial mindset are also averse to change. Such leaders are unable to break down silos, align the right resources, or implement change. They are unable to figure out ways that help employees become creative to come up with innovative solutions. When employees do not think out of the box, they remain stuck, and so does progress.

Fear of failure is another reason why many leaders resist change. Fear brings self-doubt, which in turn fuels the resistance to change. Being aware of your capabilities is very important for a leader. You should know what you can, and more importantly, what you cannot do. When you know your weaknesses, you also know who and when to ask for help.

Conclusion

Transformational leadership is not about helping those who love you admire you more. Instead, it is about convincing those that doubt you that you can be trusted. Employees trust and respect leaders who consistently do the right thing, instead of what is expedient. Sometimes doing what is right may land you in a difficult position. You do it anyway because leadership is not about benefitting yourself but elevating those around you.

Proactive classroom management is one of the most critical components of successful teaching. Teachers who use proactive classroom management techniques are able to create a conducive learning environment where students feel secure, supported, and engaged. Proactive classroom management involves developing strategies to prevent disruptive behaviors from occurring instead of reacting to them after they have already transpired.

Understanding Proactive Classroom Management

Proactive classroom management is an approach that focuses on preventing behavioral issues before they arise. This approach involves establishing clear expectations and guidelines for behavior, creating a positive and safe learning environment, and promoting student engagement and achievement. Additionally, it aims to foster positive relationships between teachers and students, build a sense of community within the classroom, and teach social and emotional skills to students.

Approaches to Proactive Classroom Management

1. Establish Clear Expectations and Guidelines

Teachers who have a clear set of rules and expectations for their classroom are more likely to have students who understand what is expected of them. Students thrive in a structured environment, where they know what is expected of them and what the consequences are if they do not meet those expectations. Clear expectations and guidelines also help create a sense of safety and predictability in the classroom, reducing anxiety and increasing engagement.

2. Build Positive Relationships with Students

Teachers who have a clear set of rules and expectations for their classroom are more likely to have students who understand what is expected of them. Students thrive in a structured environment where they know what is expected of them and the consequences if they do not meet those expectations.

3. Teach Social and Emotional Skills

Teaching social and emotional skills to students is an essential component of proactive classroom management. When students have the skills to manage their emotions, communicate effectively, and resolve conflicts peacefully, they are better equipped to handle the challenges they may face in the classroom. Incorporating Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs into the curriculum can aid students in developing these vital skills.

4. Create a Sense of Community in the Classroom

Creating a sense of community in the classroom can reduce disciplinary problems and increase student engagement. When students feel part of a community, they are more likely to respect their peers and teachers and feel a sense of responsibility to the group. Teachers can create a sense of community in the classroom by engaging in TEAM-building activities, collaborative projects, and class discussions.

5. Reinforce Positive Behavior

Reinforcing positive behavior is an essential component of proactive classroom management. When teachers recognize and reinforce positive behavior, students are more likely to repeat that behavior in the future. Teachers can reinforce positive behavior by using positive feedback, providing incentives, and publicly acknowledging students who exhibit positive behavior.

To summarize, proactive classroom management is a preemptive strategy for managing classroom behavior. Teachers can create a positive and safe learning environment by:

• Setting clear expectations and guidelines
• Building positive relationships with students
• Teaching social and emotional skills
• Creating a sense of community
• Reinforcing positive behavior

Our Commitment

By implementing these strategies, teachers can help to ensure that their classroom management practices are up to par and enhance student learning.

1TEAM Innovation takes pride in helping teachers, and educational leaders create and integrate proactive classroom management strategies that facilitate winning scenarios for the school’s various stakeholders. Using a customized approach, we learn your current operations and present teacher- and student-centric strategies to ensure the best results for your organization.

Feel free to contact us at https://1teamintl.com/ for more information and for a free consultation!

Dr. James McLaughlin, DBA, MEd

Being a good leader means doing more than simply planning and assigning tasks to your TEAM. A good leader is proactive, and the TEAM can feel when their leader is going above and beyond for them. Proactiveness spreads like moss when group members notice others being energetic and productive. They either subconsciously absorb those qualities or amp up their output quality for the joy of healthy competition.
A proactive leader sets these standards for his associates, not by dictation, but by practicing those values and modeling such an approach. Being someone who is proactive encompasses the ability to be ready for whatever situation might arise. This means they have trained themselves to predict outcomes and be ready for unsavory circumstances.

Proactive and Reactive Leaders are Different

Being proactive does not mean that you will avoid all unfavorable outcomes, as that would be beyond anyone’s human capabilities. However, proactive leaders do, to a certain extent, mitigate any damage that might be caused or do their best to avoid a future problem. So, they do not wait for circumstances to be thrust upon them; they prepare well in advance.
Regardless, not all leaders are proactive. Some are passive, which marks the difference between a good and a bad leader. Not every person who leads would necessarily be a phenomenal leader. For example, reactive leaders are those who wait for a circumstance and then react to mend the problem. By the time they come up with a solution, the problem has already escalated. Contrarily, in this situation, a proactive leader would have spent no time brainstorming ideas because they have already done that through risk management or similar strategies.

Benefits of Proactive Leadership

Trust Building

Trust is the mainstay of any organizational structure. People work as a unit when there is mutual trust within the group. It is the leader’s responsibility to create this trust and maintain it. Associates need a person in the hierarchy they can trust, and a proactive leader fills that role. They believe that their leader will always have their best interests at heart.

Respect

People respect you when you respect them. A cordial environment is created when members of that environment respect each other. For this, they start with receiving respect from their leader and appreciating them in return. With time, they understand that they are respected as an integral part of the team. It also indicates that they would need to keep pulling their own weight to maintain that respect, just like all the other members, including their leader.

Positive Reinforcement with Enhanced Performance

Good leaders promote healthy competition. One TEAM member’s exceptional performance also incentivizes others to give their best. This competition keeps a workplace from falling into monotony, which is a breeding ground for laziness, mistakes, and other inefficiencies.

Skyrocketing Productivity

Similar to charisma, proactivity is contagious. When the leader is proactive, the TEAM will follow. This is visible through productivity figures, be it sales, market reach, or lead generation. It’s not just the amount of work completed that records an upward trend but also the quality of said work.

A Proactive Leader – Dan Price

The CEO of Gravity Payments, Dan Price, is an example that stunned people around the world. As CEO, he had a handsome income, but upon noticing his associates struggling financially, he decided to take a pay cut to pay his employees fairly. When the world was hit with COVID-19 and businesses were laying off their employees, every single one of his company’s employees agreed to a pay cut. As a result, Gravity Payments made it out of the pandemic without a single layoff. One of his employees also referenced that when she didn’t have to worry about her salary, she could focus more on providing high-quality work.

So what does Dan’s case teach us? Proactive leaders are empathetic and create close-knit communities. This brings about sustainable work environments that pay off in the long run.

Dr. James McLaughlin, DBA, MEd