Excellent teaching is undeniably an essential component of a high-quality education, and as a result, it is an area that parents must consider very carefully when looking for an international school for their child and meeting with school admissions teams.

Teachers have a significant influence over a student's educational journey and attitude towards learning, to the point where almost every adult can name a teacher who stands out in their memory because they were particularly engaging, encouraging or inspiring. By shaping the future of a generation, outstanding teachers also contribute to the progress and prosperity of the wider community. Their impact extends beyond the classroom, and is visible throughout society as they empower tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers and contributors.

A recent study from the University of Melbourne used data from more than 500,000 global studies to rank various influences on student learning and academic achievement in order of importance. It found that the impact a teacher has is greater than any other factors, such as class size, technology, individual instruction, streaming by ability and changing school calendars or timetables. In fact, the study found that the two most significant influences on a child’s academic performance were both teacher-related: firstly teachers’ expectations for their students, and secondly their level of expertise.

The international schools market has increased by 45% since 2015, with the opening of more than 4,500 new schools. As this demand for international education opportunities has increased and more and more international schools have opened, the resulting demand for qualified and experienced teachers has also grown and it has become increasingly difficult for many international schools to recruit and retain the high-quality teachers that their students need to thrive. Without access to the right teachers, many of these children will never be able to achieve their full potential during their school career.

How does having access to outstanding teachers support students?

Le rôle d’un enseignant est complexe, et les meilleurs d’entre eux influencent profondément leurs élèves de nombreuses façons :

1. Teachers pass their subject knowledge to younger generations

Every day teachers transfer their subject knowledge to younger generations, creating a continuous learning and growth cycle. In order to do this, every teacher needs deep and up-to-date subject knowledge and understanding, and this means that at secondary level a teacher generally must have a first degree in their subject area, and potentially also a Master’s degree, depending on the subject and level taught. At primary and nursery level, other qualifications may be more appropriate, but a first degree is still required for formal teacher training qualifications.

2. Teachers are daily role models for their students

When a student spends all of the school day with his or her teachers, they naturally become role models, shaping the values and character of their students. Children often look up to teachers, mirroring their behaviour and attitudes. For instance, a teacher who is resilient to challenges can inspire children to adopt a positive mindset.

An excellent teacher inspires a class by demonstrating the right values, behaviours, and attitudes; he or she is always mindful of his or her words and actions, and consistently demonstrates integrity, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

By instilling values such as empathy, resilience, and problem-solving, teachers equip their students with the tools they need to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our world today. From global health crises to social issues to navigating an AI-embedded world, the problems we face are complex and multifaceted, and will require a new generation of leaders with the skills and mindset to solve them.

3. Teachers help students (and society) to achieve their future economic potential

According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, strong and effective teachers have a positive impact on students' earnings later in life. The study found that students who had highly effective teachers in primary school earned significantly more as adults than those who did not.

Teachers are essential for preparing students for high-demand, high-paying jobs in fields that may not yet exist. In our rapidly changing job market, it’s crucial that students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the 21st-century workforce and teachers are helping to build a strong and skilled workforce that is essential for economic growth and prosperity.

On a wider level, research has shown that a high-quality education is a key driver of economic growth. According to a report by the Economic Policy Institute, “raising the educational attainment of a state’s workforce can have a substantial positive impact on economic growth.” This means that teachers are not only shaping the future of individual students, but they are also shaping the future of our economy.

4. Teachers help their students develop critical thinking skills

A society with critical thinkers contributes to innovation, effective problem-solving and deeper understanding of complex issues. Employers also value employees who are critical thinkers, ask questions, offer creative ideas and are always ready to offer innovation against the competition.

An excellent teacher develops high-level critical thinking by delivering lessons that encourage analytical thinking, incorporating case studies that prompt discussion and challenging students with open-ended questions.

5. Teachers boost their students’ self-confidence and self-esteem

Self-confidence and high self-esteem are not traits that students possess naturally, but are skills to be mastered over years of learning. Studies show that learners with higher confidence are more willing to learn, challenge themselves and have better resilience in the face of difficult transitions like changing schools or countries.

In fact, confidence has been quoted as the number one predictor of academic achievement. This is particularly true for core subjects such as English, maths and science, where confidence has long-term, positive effects on learners’ success. Confident students are better equipped to face challenges, express themselves, and contribute actively to their communities, and self-confidence is also essential for attempting new and difficult tasks.

Teachers build confidence and strong self-esteem in students since they are among the most influential figures for children and young people throughout their learning years. Students’ self-worth and confidence will increase when their teacher intentionally provides them with opportunities to develop these traits. New research also shows that high teacher expectations lead to stronger student confidence, which in turn leads to greater academic achievement. And this is true not only for individual students, but also for entire classrooms of students.

6. Teachers motivate students to pursue their dreams

Excellent teachers are motivators, they nurture innovation and creativity and they inspire students to dream big and pursue their aspirations.

For example, by encouraging a student’s passion for the sciences, a teacher may inspire them to pursue a scientific career that leads to a rewarding and high-achieving career and lifelong learning in medicine, engineering, technology or other innovative industries. An excellent teacher will identify and nurture students’ interests, provide mentorship and share stories of successful individuals who overcame challenges to achieve their dreams. Cultivating this positive and encouraging atmosphere in the classroom encourages all students to believe in their potential.

Are teaching qualifications really so important?

As the study from the University of Melbourne mentioned above confirms, choosing an international school where teachers have the right expertise and have completed appropriate and globally recognized teaching qualifications is crucial. A world-class post-graduate teaching qualification demonstrates clearly that a teacher possesses the expertise, skills and strategies needed to help his or her students learn.

Globally teaching qualifications vary significantly in both content and quality. Different countries have devised their own systems of teacher training to ensure that educators can teach effectively and parents should consider the kind of formal training teachers have completed when choosing a school.

For example, if a school is preparing secondary students for British-style qualifications including GCSE, IGCSE, A level and International A level, ensuring that teachers have completed initial teacher training such as the British PGCE will mean that they are skilled and qualified to deliver examinations in the best way to help students succeed.

How can parents ensure that the international school that they are considering for their child offers excellence in teaching?

Parents should ask a prospective international school about their teachers during the admissions process. This will help families to ensure that they select an international school where the skills, experience and qualifications of the teaching staff meet their own expectations for their child. An international school should have an excellent world-class curriculum but must also have appropriately qualified and expert teachers to deliver it.

So how can parents ensure this for their child during the admissions process? Two possible ways are:

1. Asking during admissions meetings about how the school recruits its teachers and look for institutions that prioritise recruiting highly qualified educators with relevant academic credentials and teaching experience.

2. Inquire about the school's policies regarding ongoing professional development and training for teachers. Schools that invest in training and support for their staff are more likely to foster a culture of excellence in teaching.

Conclusion

The importance of a child having access to the right teachers during his or her education in an international school cannot be underestimated. After all teachers are the individuals who inspire and motivate students to learn, grow and develop into successful adults.

Selecting the best education and school for a child is a complex process that requires detailed discussion of all areas, and the importance and role of excellent teaching is just one of those factors.

At Open Sky International, we are very experienced in guiding and supporting parents in their selection of an international school for children of all ages and our highly-personalised admissions process will provide answers to the essential questions that parents need to ask. If we can provide any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.