Teaching's a subject close to my heart so I appreciated the points on good teaching. I think an underlying characteristic of high standards and passion is an actual insight into the subject. One of the most valuable things a teacher can provide other than an a quality assessment is a critical understanding of the student's work.

Teachers of the younger grades are actually quite good at this, and can gain quite a lot of insight into the childs mental model and development from their work. I guess it's easier because the work is less original at that age.