Teaching's a subject close to my heart so I appreciated the points on good teaching. I think an underlying characteristic of high standards and passion is an actual insight into the subject. One of the most valuable things a teacher can provide other than an a quality assessment is a critical understanding of the student's work.

Teachers of the younger grades are actually quite good at this, and can gain quite a lot of insight into the childs mental model and development from their work. I guess it's easier because the work is less original at that age.

A great teacher makes the complex simple. A great teacher inspires students first, provokes them to think second, and lastly imparts information!

Surprised to see Bronowski's "The Ascent of Man" missing from his list - it's usually the first book I recommend for an overview that puts the others into perspective.

ugh. gut-wrenchingly eurocentric.

It just so happens that the origins of human civilization as we know it are "eurocentric".