ABSTRACT
The happiness and progress of children as they pass through the educational system is the result of many interrelated factors. The attitude, commitment and expertise of teachers, however, will heavily influence the quality of learning. The role of the class teacher is particularly complex, and those who teach very young children don’t always appreciate the range of skills that they use during an average day. Teachers are more likely to be successful in enabling the children in their class to make maximum academic and social progress if they themselves enjoy what they are doing, tend to their own needs, and have a sense of job satisfaction. This chapter clarifies the needs that teachers have and suggests ways in which these might be met.
