Developed for distribution at a workshop on teaching excellence, this collection of materials offers various perspectives on the characteristics and instructional methods of effective teachers. The collection includes: (1) brief summaries of five videotapes illustrating the use of examples, role playing, simulation, humorous lectures, and dramatization as instructional techniques; (2) comments on the art of teaching and the difference that the "great teacher" can make to his/her students; (3) a summary of research findings on what effective teachers do that makes them effective; (4) list of the characteristics of outstanding teachers and poor teachers; (5) a description of the ideal teacher from the parents' perspective; (6) highlighted findings of a study of the competencies of effective teachers and mentors in adult education programs; (7) guidelines for the effective use of examples and illustrations in the classroom; (8) a paper that attempts to define "teaching" in terms of the decisions made throughout the teaching/learning process; and (9) a paper that classifies teaching strategies in terms of their physical activity, cognitive, and affective dimensions. (JMC)