The following table outlines Gilman’s definition of excellent teaching, regardless of the age of the student or the academic
discipline being taught. It recognizes that excellent teaching demands an array of practices, habits, and qualities and attempts
to capture the complexities of a teacher’s world.
definition of excellent teaching
relationships
with students
engaging
instruction
professional
expectations
building connections
Builds healthy connections with students in and out
of the classroom, including:
• Responding to students’ interests or talents.
• Sharing mutual interests with a student.
• Accommodating reasonable opposition.
• Revealing vulnerability.
relational learning environments
Creates a safe, inclusive learning environment where
all students have a sense of belonging, emphasizing:
• High expectations for learning and behavior.
• Socio-emotional development.
• Cross-cultural representation and competency.
cultural responsiveness
Builds relationships with students that are both
respectful of and responsive to their unique cultural
identifiers, including:
• Ability
• Gender
• Nationality
• Race
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Socio-economic status
applied knowledge: gilman skills
Supports students’ application of key content areas
through both effective formative and summative
assessment of the students’ capacity to:
• Think critically and expansively about our
complex world.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Collaborate to solve problems and affect
positive community impact.
• Create works of self-expression that serve and
inspire others.
effective methods for boys
Fosters a classroom environment responsive to
boys’ developmental patterns and learning needs,
emphasizing:
• Integrated motor activity.
• Creation of products.
• Role play and assumption of real-world roles.
• Teamwork and healthy competition.
• Open inquiry and exploration.
individualized instruction
and support
Recognizes, supports, and nurtures the potential of
individual students, emphasizing:
• Implementation of differentiated instructional
strategies that meet a student’s individual
learning needs.
• Implementation of recommended academic
accommodations.
embodying mission and values
Embraces Gilman’s mission to support boys in mind,
body, and spirit and models the Gilman Five:
• Honor
• Integrity
• Respect
• Humility
• Excellence
commitment to growth
and improvement
Welcomes and is responsive to feedback and
coaching from supervisors, peers, parents, and
students.
Responsibly meets the expectations of the three-
year DET Growth Process, including appropriate
annual foci on:
• Research and goal setting.
• Peer team and/or one-on-one support.
• Self-reflection.
communication with adults
• Collaborates with colleagues, including faculty
and staff.
• Effectively communicates and partners with
parents in support of students.
