What characterises an innovative teacher

During my years in school, I have identified two different types of teachers. These types are completely independent of gender, age or number of years in the profession.

Teacher 1: Learn the way it always did, it worked yesterday so it works today and properly tomorrow too. While the world around us is changing this teacher seems to be stuck in a vacuum. Attitudes in the society changing, youth cultures change, new curricula are developed and particularly technology advances ... But the teacher are on the same secure ground as he/she always have been.

Teacher 2: Here we have teachers who are really willing to change and see challenges in the changes taking place in the society. They not only have the ability to absorb and try new technological tools (for it is not only about technical tools), but they are inclined to change and quick to assimilate new didactic methods and implement them in the classroom.

These different types of teaching is of course generalized, we all have more or less of the various components in us.

The innovative teacher sees new opportunities in the development and has the ability to absorb them. Along with the proven methods he/she reaches up to the student, the teacher has the ability to reach students at their own game plan. However, I do not associate an innovative teacher with a teacher who is only good at learning and using technical equipment. Behind the technical expertise and equipment, there must be a didactic or pedagogical thought to reach the student.