No profession is as noble as teaching. A good teacher shapes the futures of generations to come, preparing them to become the leaders of tomorrow. So what exactly makes a good teacher?
In this article, we will take an in-depth look into the traits and abilities that a teacher should have in order to be truly great.
Patience
The most effective teachers know that each student learns at a different pace. Patience must be the ultimate tool of a teacher’s teaching toolkit. A good teacher is also calm, understanding, and has the ability to control their emotions or even adjust their reaction when a situation arises.
They comprehend that all students are unique and will approach a subject from different perspectives; therefore, patience is essential. A great teacher is patient with their students when they are working and teaches with the understanding that mistakes and errors are part of the learning process.
A teacher must be able to recognize when a student is struggling and be capable of providing effective guidance to help them work through the difficulty. An effective teacher will not rush a student but instead will provide their students with enough time to understand the material, but also be able to maintain the school’s curriculum.
Finally, a good teacher is also patient with their students’ mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, and a great teacher is patient enough to help a student understand why they made the mistake and provide them with the necessary tools they need to do better the next time.
Creativity
Creativity is an ability that all good teachers possess. They often use their imagination in order to foster an interactive, fun, and friendly environment in their classroom.
A good teacher should be able to create lessons that are engaging, new and exciting for the students. They should be able to present the same material in multiple, different ways in order to keep the class focused and attentive. Engaging with their students is also another great way to get creative.
This can be done through establishing a strong relationship between the teacher and the student. Knowing each of their students on an individual basis, a good teacher understands what makes them different, and can come up with creative activities and strategies that cater to their students’ needs.
Finally, a great teacher also creates an environment in which students are comfortable to take risks, experiment, and learn from the process. A creative teacher knows that mistakes and failure are a part of the creative process and should be embraced instead of shied away from. Through fostering this kind of environment, a good teacher can expand the thought process of their students.
Enthusiasm
A passionate teacher is able to make a lesson fun, entertaining and engaging for the students. A good teacher conveys their enthusiasm for the topic through their body language, tone of voice, and choice of words.
They are genuinely interested in what they are teaching and are excited to answer any questions their students may have. Enthusiasm creates an inviting, uplifting environment in the classroom. A genuinely passionate teacher demonstrates to students that learning can be a pleasurable experience.
This encourages students to collaborate and engage more in classroom activities as they do not feel overwhelmed or anxious by the seemingly insurmountable task of completing a lesson. A passionate teacher inspires their students to greatness.
Through their enthusiasm and motivation, a great teacher is able to nurture their students and convince them to pursue their passions.
Empathy
Empathy is a crucial trait for any great teacher to possess. Being able to comprehend and identify with the internal emotional and psychological state of their students must be a strength for a good teacher.
An emotional attunement to the emotional state of their students is what makes a great teacher. A great teacher will also be able to tailor their teaching style to suit the emotions of their students. A teacher must also be able to sense when a student is struggling, and be capable of offering the needed support they need to complete a task.
Finally, having an understanding of the realities of the students’ lives is another way a great teacher displays empathy. Knowing the struggles that students face, a great teacher is able to relate to the students and help them work through their issues.
Humour
Humour is an effective tool in the classroom. A great teacher is often able to lighten the mood by making students laugh and forget the serious nature of the subject matter.
This also helps them to focus on the task at hand and learn something new. A sense of humour also helps create relationships between the teacher and the student. Laughing in the classroom is a great way to show the student that the teacher is invested in them and is an approachable figure.
Humour also helps the student relax and be more open to trying new things and experimenting. A great teacher also knows how to use humour in a constructive way.
Injecting humour into classroom activities often motivates the students and makes them feel more encouraged. Humour can also help the teacher make a difficult concept easier to understand.
Kindness
A good teacher must have a kind heart. Kindness often leads to better relationships among students and teachers.
This encourages students to be more engaged, participative, and motivated when learning. Being kind also instils a sense of inclusivity in the classroom. Students feel more comfortable and are more likely to ask questions and clarify their doubts.
A kind teacher understands the limitations of each student and helps them to the best of their ability. Finally, kindness helps to build strong relationships between teacher and student.
The teacher’s kindness will encourage their students to open up and communicate with them about any difficulties they may be having with the subject.
Communication Skills
Communication is at the heart of any teaching job. A great teacher must have the ability to communicate their ideas clearly and in a way that can be understood by their students. To do this, they should be able to break down difficult concepts, present and explain information in a logical and concise manner, and create real-world applications of those topics.
Another trait a great teacher should have is the ability to ask and answer questions. Great teachers can ask their students the right questions at the right time and can also understand their students’ questions and answers to them in a way that helps them comprehend the material.
A good teacher must also be able to motivate their students through effective communication. This involves them being able to express the importance of the lesson and being able to impart the same enthusiasm and passion that they possess for the topic.
Consistency
Consistency is an important trait for a good teacher. They should ensure that their expectations and standards are the same for all their students. A great teacher will also be consistent with enforcing classroom rules and boundaries to ensure that their classroom is an inclusive and disciplined environment.
Consistency also applies to the classroom instruction. A great teacher should have an established system of teaching and progress in the same linear way, allowing students to build upon topics that they have already gone over.
This creates a strong foundation for students to build on and keeps them focused and engaged throughout the course. Finally, consistency allows for students to stay entertained, engaged and focused.
By having a consistent structure to the class, students know what is expected of them and can focus on the material more effectively.
Organisation
Organisation is essential for any teacher. A great teacher knows how to plan ahead and plan ahead effectively.
This requires them to have a good understanding of the subject, the ability to plan efficient and interesting lessons, and be capable of keeping the class focused. Organisation also helps a great teacher to maintain their professionalism. This involves having excellent time management skills, being able to keep track of student’s grades and attendance records, and creating a rewarding and enjoyable atmosphere in the classroom.
A good teacher is also able to effectively communicate with their colleagues, the school administration, and the parents of their students. This requires an organised approach and the ability to keep track of important deadlines and meetings.
Adaptability
Adaptability is a crucial trait for a good teacher. A great teacher must be able to adjust their teaching methods depending on the students they are teaching. This means that they must possess a great level of flexibility and be able to apply different techniques to their teaching.
Good teachers must also be able to adapt when unexpected situations arise. This could involve having to adjust the lesson plan, providing alternative resources and materials, or having to think on their feet and come up with creative solutions.
Moreover, great teachers know how to use technology in the classroom to enhance their lectures and make the content easier to understand. A good teacher must be able to evaluate the different technologies available and use them in the most beneficial way for their students.
Conclusion
Teaching is not only a profession – it is a calling. The best teachers display the above traits, traits that cannot be found in text books. They often require a person to go the extra mile in improving their teaching quality and developing strong relationships with their students.
A great teacher helps to shape the minds of their students and encourages them to become successful, contributing members of society.