Who was your best teacher ever? Is there such a thing as the Ideal Teacher?

I'm convinced there is no single Ideal Teacher, because students' needs differ at every age and stage. There might be three ideal types, though. The great elementary school teacher, the great middle school and high school teacher, and the great college professor.

What makes them great?

I've been asking that question a lot lately, trying to understand what makes a teacher great. I've talked to all kinds of people, from little kids to busy adults to teachers of teachers. From their answers I was able to distill a list of traits:

Great teachers ...

• make you feel special.
• teach you how to learn.
• inspire you with their passion.
• engage your whole being.
• keep you focused.
• open you up to new experiences.
• have no agenda.
• make the complicated simple.
• give clear explanations.
• show you how everything ties together.

Can all these traits be found in one teacher?

As I said before, I don't think so. But let's take a look at what makes for a great teacher at the three main levels of schooling in the United States: elementary school, middle school and high school, and college (and beyond).