ALT-7 What Abilities must you have to become a Teacher
Teachers have a significant impact on students whether they be in primary school or college. They are an essential part of our society and there is no doubt that they are integral in the development and success of our young people. Their guidance can spell success for an academic career or cause it to crumble beneath the student's feet.
Some may argue that it is not entirely to the teacher's credit that a student succeeds and this is true to some extent. It cannot be denied that some intrinsic motivation is always required, but if the teacher coerces no enthusiasm from students, grades will doubtless suffer. The teacher's enthusiasm about their subject matter and their ability to pass this onto their students, I believe, is the of the most importance. When a student senses that their teacher truly feels strongly about the subject matter, they will, out of intrigue for this interest, listen.
Great teaching requires teachers to be comfortable with students and vice versa. This kind of environment can only be built on a mutual respect for each party. It takes a special kind of teacher and indeed, a special kind of person, to be able to build this kind of respect with students. Often, teachers may be forced to build this respect in a relationship where they have little or no common ground with their pupils, and this truly is the ultimate test of teaching ability. They must (often) overcome the generation difference, the different upbringing and the different opinions about the world, but those that succeed will be rewarded with an attentive class who genuinely cares about what is said.
Of course, the above abilities rely on the 'fun' factor. Boring lessons will switch students off regardless of the enthusiasm or respect they may have for the teacher. Too often have I seen teachers gain a repoitre with a group and then immediately lose ground with a string of dull lessons. An excellent teacher gauges the reactions of their pupils and adjusts their style to compensate. Boring classes generally have to take place every now and again but it is the teacher's ability to balance these out that makes an excellent teacher. An even better teacher may have the rare and sort-after ability to make everything fun, regardless of the banality of the topic.
I believe a teacher must have three main abilities to succeed with their students. These are enthusiasm for the subject matter, a mutual respect with students and the ability to gain and maintain a repoitre with their students. A good teacher will have one, a great teacher will have two, but an excellent teacher, whose lessons are awaited from the week's start, is one that possess all three.
