Greater Impact: Teacher Talent Matters

In the video above, LuHi Principal, David Ness, talks about the importance of filling classrooms with teachers who:

• Are experts in their field
• Have a passion for their subjects that’s easily recognizable by students
• Can relate to their students
• Care about students and can nurture their growth

One of our Core Values as a high school is hiring very talented people to teach our students. As LuHi Executive Director Dan Gehrke mentions in the video, we look for “Talent Whisperers.” Daniel Coyle describes Talent Whisperers in his book, The Talent Code.

[Talent whisperers] know how to identify so closely with the needs and personality of a young person that they can coach and coax them to the next level of performance; they know how to be tough and tender, cold and hot, as the need arises. They are intensely interested in the talent and in the person trying to become better in that field of human endeavor. (Coyle, Daniel, 2009)

So, how do you measure a teacher?

Can you tell a teacher is excellent based on their advanced degrees? Maybe you judge a teacher by how well their students do on the ACT, SAT, AP, or other standardized tests. Or perhaps it's simpler than that.

As Dan points out, you know good teachers when you see them.

If you want to know if a teacher is excellent, relatable, and intriguing, observe them. We have a standing invitation to any parent - prospective or current - to come sit in on any class.

What does this mean for your high school search?

If observing teachers at all the schools you are considering seems overwhelming, we get that. That's where trust comes in. Choose a school administration you trust to make the right choices so your student has the best experience in and out of the classroom.

A few ways LuHi builds trust with our families include:

• proactive check-ins with teachers and students (especially students who are struggling) throughout the year
• mid-semester surveys from students about their classroom experiences
• staff time for collaboration on engaging teaching strategies
• administration check-ins with staff for alignment on core values

LuHi systematically checks in with students, teachers, and parents throughout the year. This can include conversations (including but not limited to our well-attended Parent/Teacher Conferences) and observations.

Great teachers notice the students who aren't performing at their full potential. They also recognize those who aren't bought into the school's culture and core values. Our teachers know how to share those names with our Dean's Team so they can follow up with struggling students and include their parents in the conversations. The goal of our Dean's Team - in partnership with teachers - is to get everyone on the same page. Said another way, we desire partnership. We want to work together to find the right solution for a struggling student.

This partnership with families adds up to an uncommon freshman experience.

How do we find and hire highly talented teachers?

In the audio clip above, our Executive Director, Dan Gehrke, talks about how we define excellent teachers and find them to hire them. As he says, it's one of the things we are most obsessed with at LuHi.

One advantage we have when it comes to hiring great teachers is the Concordia University system. Many students who earn their teaching degrees from one of the Concordia Universities around the country grew up attending Lutheran schools and desire to work at a Lutheran school. This built-in farm system helps us find teachers who align with our beliefs in the race to get the best teachers.

At the end of the day, our administration puts in the necessary time and effort to attract and retain highly relational teachers and coaches to surround our students. 

A LuHi Core Value: Highly Talented Teachers

Thinking back to your high school years, you may remember a teacher you connected with. Perhaps that teacher even impacted the field of study you went into in college and beyond.

Your student spends 8+ hours a day with the adults at their school. Once students get to high school and take part in extracurricular activities, the number goes up. Every adult your student spends significant time around is impacting your student. For better or worse, they are a role model.

We are intentional about surrounding students with teachers who connect to kids. We look for teachers to contribute to our culture. That is the example we want our students to see: a pattern of connection and contribution. We lead, they mirror.

Modeling accountability, drawing out students’ best efforts, communicating often with parents, and sharing expertise are indicators of a talent whisperer. This is what we expect from our teachers, and you should expect the same.

Originally published in 2018, updated for accuracy in 2025