Qualities of Outstanding Teachers That Contribute to Student Success: Personal, Technical, and Professional Attributes of Outstanding Teachers in Post-secondary Education

Having passion for teaching is a true gift some teachers posses. They change the lives of their students with their enthusiasm, commitment and devotion. They turn students into scholars. They inspire excellence in learning. And, they infuse in their students the zeal for discovery, the desire for success, for making a difference - not only in their own lives, but also those of others. Yet, what makes exceptional teachers so special? What qualities set them apart? Are these qualities equally valuded by other faculty and students in general? Post-secondary institutions are not exempt from the imperative of assessing product quality and customer satisfaction. With reputable schools offering competitive and increasingly on-line degrees, client satisfaction necessitates placing student needs and academic objectives at the top of organizational priorities. The core of this study was exceptional teaching and how it can create conditions for student success in post-secondary education.

Sia Samimi became a faculty member at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology 18 years ago. In 2006, his Masters thesis, Competencies of Outstanding Teachers, received the Royal Roads University Chancellor award. Sia is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Education degree, and is the Chair of Computer Systems Technology at NAIT.