The Socratic Oath for Teachers

What makes a good teacher? In 1991, Hartmut von Hentig attempted to answer this when he first formulated a 'Socratic oath' for the profession, and it is a question which remains relevant today. In The Socratic Oath for Teachers, Klaus Zierer revisits and reframes the concept of a teacher’s oath while also addressing challenges currently facing our societal developments in recent didactic-methodological research and fresh perspectives on the goals of the teaching profession. Referencing Socrates throughout, this short think piece proposes a professional oath for teachers that at its core is fully committed to the successful education and well-being of students. Drawing upon key research and his own experiences within education, Zierer answers the following questions, establishing how a professional oath may support teachers: What is a professional oath, and what can it do? What characterises teacher professionalism? What can be understood by teacher attitudes? Why are they crucial for a successful professional oath? Why is Socrates suitable as a guarantor for a professional oath of teachers? Why is a renewal of the Socratic Oath necessary? For whom is an oath necessary, and what must it contain? In this fascinating work, Klaus Zierer explores the principles and goals of the teaching profession and formulates theoretically sound and empirically validated principles of successful teaching. This is an essential read for any teacher, senior leader, policy maker, educationalist, or researcher who wants to learn more about what makes a good teacher.

1. Why this book?; 2. What is a professional oath, and what can it do?; 3. What characterises teacher professionalism?; 4. What can be understood by 'attitudes', and why are they crucial for a professional oath?; 5. Why is Socrates suitable as a guarantor for a professional oath of teachers?; 6. Why is a renewal of the Socratic Oath necessary?; 7. To whom is a commitment necessary and what must it contain?; 8. What happens next?

Klaus Zierer, a German educationalist and professor of the School of Education at the University of Augsburg since 2015, is considered to be the leading Hattie expert in the German-speaking world. Previously, he was Professor of Educational Science at the Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg and an elementary school teacher from 2004 to 2009. He has co-authored the successful books 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning and Visible Learning Insights alongside John Hattie. In addition, he has extensively contributed to education policy debates and is considered one of the most influential school educators in Germany.