According to Maslow, a self-actualizing person can be described as someone who utilizes their talents and capabilities more fully than the average person, lives in the present rather than dwelling on the past or the future, functions relatively autonomously, and tends to have a more benevolent outlook on life and on human nature than the average person.

A self-actualizing teacher is measurably more effective for the following reasons. He is capable of continually seeking professional opportunities that creatively challenge and express his talents and abilities. She is able to stay focused in the present moment while communicating with others, such that she avoids following tradition for tradition's sake and avoids projecting her own self doubts and apprehensions on the aspirations of others. He has the confidence of self-direction allowing him to lead at a moment's notice without hesitation, or to follow as the situation dictates. She feels the urgency of true compassion, to act.

Can we afford to have non-self-actualizing teachers when we know that we can measurably impact their effectiveness by fostering these qualities? The attached paper discusses the importance of self-actualization of teachers in international education. I've suggested delivering a course in self-actualization to teachers in international education, using the Personal Orientation Inventory to measure pre- and post-training results.