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I think that may have been the point - it's hard to nail down. Enthusiasm is a component, subject knowledge is a component, technique (pedagogy) is a component, but how exactly do you roll those together to come up with a great teacher? This article was primarily focused on the public school sector of teaching, where tenure plays a major roll - some say in maintaining or even promoting mediocrity. After all the teacher bashing which goes on here I though a positive article might help motivate someone somewhere to continue with their teaching.

I'll agree with you that the article was slightly annoying, in that the writer used a very good question and answered it by saying we need more Wal-Marts.

But ok, I'll take something of a whack at it. Best and worst teachers. Best teachers: have a real sympathy (or empathy) with students and can mix this sense of being on the students' side with the discipline of presenting the coursework. Worst teachers: are resentful of having to put up with another classroom (or piano bench)full of brats and use the coursework to, at best, insulate themselves from the students, and at worst, to torture the students.

Best teachers: have a sense of humor, a flexible personality, and a sense of wonder and fascination with knowledge. Worst teachers: are grim-faced, rigid, and incurious--- even fearful--- about knowledge and new information.

Best teachers: are fair and realistic in presenting attainable goals (and challenges), and are good at helping the students get there, even if it is not easy. Worst teachers: use assignments and exams as a monument to their own self-importance, and are good at punishing and threatening.

Best teachers: are a gold mine of information about their field, and like to help students find out what the resources are so that they can find out things on their own. They are frank and honest, though also circumspect and tactful. Worst teachers: are a gold mine of misinformation, and confuse indoctrination with education. They are accusing.

Best teachers: are respectful and respected. They demonstrate a sense of healthy boundaries. Worst teachers: are fearful, mean, and intrusive. Everything is their business, if it is another tool in their power struggle.

This could go on for quite a bit longer; it is very far from exhaustive. It may strike you that the qualities of a good teacher are the same qualities that make up a good human being. Unfortunately, like the population at large, some are well down the ranks. At least, they teach endurance.

I should go back and have another look at "King, Warrior, Magician, Lover," to refresh my memory about the qualities of the archetypes, and their shadow forms.

"...he ended up not answering his own question. "I know it when I see it" isn't really helpful..."

Isn't that what the Supreme Court said about porn?

I'll agree with you that the article was slightly annoying, in that the writer used a very good question and answered it by saying we need more Wal-Marts.