This Much I Know About Truly Great Secondary Teachers

Foreword by Professor Rob Coe

Through a series of in-depth case studies, This Much I Know About Truly Great Secondary Teachers (and What We Can Learn from Them) by John Tomsett brings to life the teaching practices of eleven outstanding secondary school teachers.

Spanning a diverse range of school types, social contexts, subjects, and age groups, each case study is based on classroom observations and conversations with the teachers themselves, as well as with their colleagues and pupils. These discussions reveal not only what exceptional teachers do, but why they do it—the decisions they make, the adaptations they implement, and the pedagogical and philosophical principles that underpin their practice.

While each teacher has a distinctive approach and unique perspective on teaching, Tomsett identifies the shared qualities that unite them: unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, thoughtful decision-making, and a deep commitment to helping every student succeed.

Drawing together these common characteristics, the book offers valuable insights into what all educators can learn from truly great teachers and how those lessons can be applied in classrooms across the secondary sector.

Essential reading for secondary school teachers, school leaders, teacher educators, and education researchers, this inspiring book provides a compelling exploration of what outstanding teaching looks like in practice—and why it matters.