Teachers develop their students’ knowledge, transmit societal norms and values, and help build character and personal skills. This book reminds us why teaching is the world’s most important profession and explores the intrinsic rewards of being a teacher. It brings together thoughtful reflections and insights from educators across all stages of their careers, exploring what it means to teach with passion, purpose, and resilience.

Revealing what brings people into the profession and then keeps them motived and engaged, the contributors share their journeys, principles, and ideas for nurturing a love of teaching and learning in schools.

The chapters cover:

• The evolving identity of teachers across their careers

• The craft of teaching and the importance of professional development

• How to support and retain great teachers

• The role of teachers in shaping communities and lives.

Including case studies and reflective questions, this book is a celebration of teaching as a lifelong journey and a reminder or why great teachers matter. It will be valuable reading for teachers at all stages of their career, school leaders, and policy-makers.

Carolyn Roberts, MBE, is an experienced Headteacher, published education thinker, and writer, a founding fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and Chief Education Officer at The Professional Teaching Institute

Hugh Rayment-Pickard, MBE, is a writer and was formerly Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of education charity IntoUniversity, and Co-Director of The Professional Teaching Institute.