“Robin Cox has brought together a lifetime of Christian devotion and understanding of young people and their challenges in this work. He shares experiences, anecdotes, examples, and quotations from a variety of sources which enrich and illustrate the seven qualities of the title. The wealth and variety of information is clearly and simply presented to assist and empower teachers everywhere, both young and experienced. The work is deeply spiritual; the counsel contemporary, practical, and universal.”
—E. L. (Libby) Huggett
Former Deputy Principal, St Mary’s School for Girls, Waverley, Johannesburg
“Sometimes if a book isn’t available you have to write it yourself. Robin Cox has done just that with this one. He has condensed the wisdom acquired from decades of learning, teaching, and mentoring into what could be described as an essential guide for Christian teachers. Each short chapter brims with the promise of treasure to be discovered if we will only take it to heart and apply it to our practice.”
—Graham Coyle
Chairman, European Educators’ Christian Association, England
“In an increasingly complex educational landscape, this book provides a wonderful foundation upon which all educators can refer to for guidance, inspiration, and some well-grounded practical strategies. Robin has acquired a significant body of knowledge over a long and distinguished career, and we are now privileged to be able to share in this, so that we too may play a role in the education of both teachers and students. Thank you, Robin!”
—Damien Barry
Regional Principal, OneSchool Global, Tasmania and Queensland
“In these times of climate change, global turmoil, and mental health issues, this book is a pivotal investigation into the necessity for critical support for the youth of the world. Robin Cox’s ‘whanau’—the world he has known so well as scholar, sports’ coach, academic, and mentor—is presented as a challenge to all teachers who in their servant-leadership role, may, in walking in his shoes, ultimately stand enriched through studying the authenticity of his ideals.”
—Hugh Huggett
Head of English and Staff Executive, St Stithians College, South Africa
“Every teacher at some stage in their career will question whether what they are doing is really worth it or making a difference. This book certainly helps answer that question by reminding us that teaching is a divine calling and part of God’s mission. Full of inspiration, real life stories, and biblical encouragement, it certainly meets the author’s goal of being a user-friendly book for Christian educators that refocuses its readers on the greatest teacher of all time, Jesus.”
—Nigel Winder
Children and Families Team Leader, Scripture Union New Zealand
“7 Key Qualities of Effective Teachers by Robin Cox is an overdue, rich, and inspiring resource for educators—and in fact for leaders in any organization. The seven qualities and the seventy-two practical strategies give shape to the core concept—how to be an authentic person, an effective leader, a transformative influencer, and how to do that in a way that is based on the way Jesus modeled. I highly recommend this rich resource as a daily text to delve into, to reflect on, to apply as we lead those entrusted to our care, whether they be young people or adults to whom we provide leadership.”
—Rudi Pakendorf
Educator and business consultant, Wisconsin
7 Key Qualities of Effective Teachers
Encouragement for Christian Educators
Robin Cox
foreword by Paul Browning
7 Key Qualities of Effective Teachers
Encouragement for Christian Educators
Copyright © 2020 Robin Cox. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical publications or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Write: Permissions, Wipf and Stock Publishers, 199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3, Eugene, OR 97401.
Resource Publications
An Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers
199 W. 8th Ave., Suite 3
Eugene, OR 97401
www.wipfandstock.com
paperback isbn: 978-1-7252-5333-9
hardcover isbn: 978-1-7252-5334-6
ebook isbn: 978-1-7252-5335-3
Manufactured in the U.S.A. December 23, 2019
Scripture quotations and references taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Also by Robin Cox
The Mentoring Spirit of the Teacher—Inspiration, support and guidance for aspiring and practising teacher-mentors
Expanding the Spirit of Mentoring—Simple steps and fun activities for a flourishing peer mentor or peer support program
Nurturing the Spirit of Mentoring—50 fun activities for young people and for peer mentor training
Encouraging the Spirit of Mentoring—50 fun activities for the ongoing training of teacher-mentors, volunteer mentors, student leaders, peer mentors and youth workers
The Spirit of Mentoring—A manual for adult volunteers
Letter 2 a Teen—Becoming the Best I can Be
Making a Difference—The Teacher-Mentor, the Kids and the M.A.D Project
More information available at www.yess.co.nz
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
—Isaiah 40:29–31
To Jane, Trish, and Tim,
Thank you for your support, encouragement,
and belief in my life journey.
To all my amazing teachers and mentors:
Thank you for believing in me, shaping, molding, inspiring, and motivating me over many years.
Foreword
Teaching is a tough job. It can be incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly demanding and, occasionally, demoralizing.
In the last decade, schools and teachers have become more accountable and been placed in the spotlight, blamed for “failing” our young people. At the same time, there has been a dramatic increase in mental illness, particularly anxiety disorder, among youth. If the job of a teacher wasn’t complex and demanding enough, to be a Christian teacher in an increasingly secular society has become even more challenging, particularly if you don’t work in a faith-based school. This is why this book is so important.
I fear that society has lost sight of what teaching and good schools are all about. A teacher today could easily fall into the trap of believing that their worth is measured by the standardized test scores of their students, rather than the difference they have made to another person’s life. I have never had a young person come