OK, 34000 people with high qualifications & flamboyant personalities wanted. I can think of one I met once. Any other ideas?

OK, there are some points here that hit home.

But the article is founded in an adversarial, ideological approach that is not going to help us improve the system. What matters is not whether the 'progressives' are right or the 'conservatives' are right, but what works, which should be based on a dispassionate examination of the research, as others have pointed out.

Sure there is a case for giving teachers more authority, and certainly status,as they have in Eastern cultures. But many of those countries are desperately trying to break away from their vertical heritage in order to equip their future generations to prosper in the new economy and the creative industries.

It is a matter of balance, surely, not just going for teacher-as-god again, the sage who cannot be questioned.

All teachers without exception should be able to talk in as interesting, clear and audible way as a television presenter, without yelling or shouting.
I would even say that the most useful thing that a teachers' college can do is to ensure that all who need it have competent training in public speaking.

This training is possible. In Scotland there was a famous teacher who could train anyone to speak well and be listened to. I wish I had had lessons.

The main reason for rejecting 'chalk and talk' lessons is teachers who bore because they speak poorly. It is also a reason why classes can misbehave.