Performance is defined as a function of competency and commitment.
Based on the definition, a performance quadrant analysis is developed to identify different types of performers for teachers.
From the competency function, a continuum is developed as shown below:
Competencies imply knowledge, skills or know how of teaching and developing the student potentials.
Likewise all teachers lie in the continuum of:
Commitment implies passion, enthusiasm, devotion and the right attitude in imparting knowledge, skills and developing the full potentials of students holistically.
To simplify the continuum we shall use the term “know” for competency and “care” for commitment.
Crossing the two continuums a Performance Quadrant Analysis (PQA) is developed to classify teachers into different types of performers as shown in the figure below:
Quadrant 1: Star
A “star” teacher is one who knows and cares about his job. The teacher understands the requirements and the standards of each duty and task output and is committed not only to do his / her best to meet the performance standards but also has the ability to exceed the excellence standard set. Teachers who meet or exceed excellence standards have great potential in their career growth.
Characteristics of star teachers:
- Sound pedagogical and andragogical knowledge and skills;
- Display great enthusiasm teaching the subjects;
- See learning as a lifelong process;
- Show great patience in explaining and helping the students;
- Make an effort to know their students’ personality;
- Communicate genuine caring and compassion for their students;
- Match their teaching techniques with the learning styles of the students;
- Know many ways to explain and deliver a subject;
- Help students to think out of the box;
- Know their subject matter well;
- Always be available and even walk the extra mile to assist their students;
- Willing to give extra tuition to improve the students’ academic results;
- Take pride in their students’ achievements;
- Have a great passion for teaching;
- Empathetic and sensitive to the feelings and needs of the students;
- Continuously strive in personal and career growth;
- Help students think for themselves;
- Work well with all types of personalities;
- Work within education institution’s policies, rules and constraints;
- Have a sense of humor and make learning fun.
Quadrant 2: Learner
A “learner” teacher is a teacher who does not know but care about his job. Although he lacks the know-how of meeting the requirements and performance standards of his job, he has the initiative, enthusiasm and willingness to learn how to perform on the job. Learners are usually made up of new teachers who show eagerness in learning, or incumbent teachers who are eager to learn new teaching skills. They are trainable and have potential to become stars. Despite their lack of know-how, they will try their best to meet the minimum standards set for their performance.
Characteristics of learners:
- Lack of competency i.e. know-how and skills;
- Unsure of the teaching learning process;
- Willing to learn from others;
- Try to improve their teaching skills;
- Learn from mistakes;
- Seek coaching and guidance from other teachers;
- Willingness to accept criticisms;
- Show respect for authority;
- Lack knowledge of the subject matter;
- Adhere to organization’s rules, regulations and procedures
- Have a great passion for teaching;
- Willing to give extra tuition to students;
- Well disciplined;
- Obey instructions.
Quadrant 3: Maintainer
A “maintainer” teacher is a teacher who knows but does not care about doing a good job. Maintainers are experienced, incumbent teachers who are frustrated with the absence of hygiene factors of their work environment. They perceive that their career have plateaued and have not much prospects working for their institution. Given a job, they will meet the minimum standards.
Characteristics of maintainers:
- Good job knowledge and skills;
- Lazy to use his teaching skills;
- Perceive career has plateaued;
- Complacent;
- Make classes boring;
- Lack of initiative;
- Hardly spend time with students;
- Lack empathy;
- Insensitive to the students’ feelings and needs;
- Use intimidation and abusive language on students;
- Play favoritism in class;
- Complain frequently;
- Show boredom at work;
- Hard to take criticisms;
- Moody and emotionally unstable;
- Disappear right after class;
Quadrant 4: Laggard
A “laggard” is a teacher who does not want to know and does not care about doing a job well. Laggards are teachers who are very frustrated with their work and as a result, lose interests in their job. Usually, they reacted strongly to the organization hygiene’s and perceive that they are ill-treated by the management. They often fail to meet the minimum standards set for their performance.
Characteristics of a laggard:
- Lack of job-know-how and skills
- Poor teaching skills
- Rebellious and can become violent when criticize
- Show boredom at work
- Antagonistic and show disrespect for others
- Often use fixed method of teaching and learning process
- Couldn’t careless attitude
- Use intimidation and abusive language on students
- Frustrated and highly tense
- Refusal to learn or be trained
- Fail badly to meet minimum standards
- Work sluggishly and grudgingly
- Moody and emotionally unstable
- Disappear right after class
- Trouble-makers