Eagle Academies of Texas


	The Heart of the matter

	While all three of these characteristics make a teacher “good,” it takes more to make a teacher "great." While in no way discounting the role a teacher’s knowledge, likeability, and professionalism play in the education of the student, we at Eagle Academies of Texas believe that the single greatest factor in making a teacher “great” is the teacher’s ability to instill within the child an unwavering, unyielding belief that the child can learn. In order to do this, the teacher must believe that the child can learn. Not only must the teacher believe it, but the child must know that the teacher believes it. This kind of belief is more than just a simple agreement to an idea. It is more than hoping a child can learn. It is a passionate, unwavering belief that is rooted in the heart. Teaching is 5% skill and 95% art. The art of teaching is the heart of the matter. It is what we really believe about the child in our heart that affects how we interact with her and, ultimately, how that child will see herself. The child will sense whether or not we really believe in her. And, if the child becomes convinced that we really do believe that she can learn, she will learn. At Eagle Academies of Texas, we seek to surround our students with great teachers. Teachers who know their chosen subject . . . and know their students more. Teachers who are likeable . . . and respected. Teachers whose professionalism is not an end, but a means to facilitate their service to their students. Teachers who believe their students can learn and let their students know that they believe it. After all, that’s the heart of the matter.