There is much debate over what constitutes a good teacher and how to calculate that measure of "goodness".  Some recommend looking at student's test scores.  Others suggest peer evaluation.  Still others recommend a "laissez-faire" approach that gives the teacher free reign so long as no one complains.  Perhaps it is important, first of all, to identify what a teacher's responsibility is.  Do we expect them to produce students who can fill in all the correct bubbles on an answer sheet, do we expect them to teach their students a set of skills, or do we expect them to produce philosophers and thinkers?

After defining the desired outcome, you can begin to identify the characteristics that will lead to that end.  You will find, no matter which outcome you desire, that all educators ought to possess certain traits, or at least strive to possess them.  

We will attempt to identify and describe those traits over the next several weeks.