What makes a master teacher?

[GreenEyes26]

I wanted to start this topic based off of the "Methods of Instruction" thread:

What qualities make a teacher a master? What does it take to become one? How do you spot a teacher who you believe gives quality instruction? Finally, how long do you think it takes a dancer to become a master teacher?

I ask the last question in particular because I think it takes a long time to become an excellent/master dance instructor. I also have a bias against young teachers...which is probably not a good thing. I realize that every teacher must begin somewhere and at sometime, but I just don't trust them to know enough.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the above questions?

[elisedance]

I wanted to start this topic based off of the "Methods of Instruction" thread:

What qualities make a teacher a master? What does it take to become one? How do you spot a teacher who you believe gives quality instruction? Finally, how long do you think it takes a dancer to become a master teacher?

I ask the last question in particular because I think it takes a long time to become an excellent/master dance instructor. I also have a bias against young teachers...which is probably not a good thing. I realize that every teacher must begin somewhere and at sometime, but I just don't trust them to know enough.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the above questions?

Nice question - my experience is that there is a real, but only loose, connection between knowledge and teaching effectiveness.  You can have people that excell in any either area but fail in in the other.  The best teachers (in dancing or anything else) know what they know and are able to pass it on in a manner that suits the specific student.  However, it is equally important that they have humilty: that is know they still have a lot to learn and also their own limitations - when they need to send the student elsewhere.