The Ontology of Successful Teaching: Capturing Voices of Primary School Teachers

Abstract

The teaching philosophies and qualities that characterize the best teacher remain contentious aspects of the multilayered educational landscape of Pakistan. The present study explores the ontological configuration of successful teaching while examining primary school teachers' beliefs and philosophies asking what are the fundamental requirements for becoming an excellent teacher who ultimately can contribute enormously to the development of both individual and collective intellectual capital. For this study, a qualitative approach of inquiry was adopted employing in-depth interviews with 33 primary school teachers (17 males, 16 females) from Rawalpindi city to elicit the grassroots perception concerning their beliefs regarding the perquisites of becoming a successful teacher. The study point to a number of traits that teachers believe are essential for successful teaching including loyalty and honesty, commitment, punctuality and passion vis-a-vis, effective communication skills, efficient classroom management, in-depth subject knowledge, and an awareness of students' issues to foster a conducive learning environment.