This entry in the James H. Stronge Research-to-Practice Series focuses on the characteristics of teachers who create supportive learning environments for their students. By conveying a sense of immediacy, credibility, and caring, they communicate to students in both verbal and nonverbal ways that are essential to cultivating a positive and productive learning community. In this book, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the qualities of a supportive teacher. They offer a bridge between research-based theories and practical classroom applications, with templates, planning forms, and other reproducibles. The authors help teachers move toward establishing a learning environment that contributes to effective instructional practices. Topics include: engaging students and their families, effective communication, student ownership of the learning environment, and much more. Contents include: (1) Introduction; (2) What Dispositions Support Teaching and Student Learning?; (3) What Knowledge Do Teachers Need to Support Teaching and Learning?; (4) What Teacher Skills are Necessary for a Positive Learning Environment?; (5) Conclusion; (6) Reproducible Resources; and (7) Annotated Bibliography and References.