Why are some Teachers better than others
When you look back upon your academic career, you should be able to fondly recollect a few teachers that stood out from all the rest. A great teacher has the uncanny ability to inspire students to achieve their full potential, and to yearn for continued learning.
Great teachers are not born that way, nor do they begin their careers like that. Agreat educatorhas honed his craft over the years, figuring out here and there what works and what does not. The great teacher continually upgrades their skills, and modifies their teaching methods.
While many teachers are unwilling to reinvent the wheel, great teachers keep the original template of the wheel, but make improvements for the different conditions that arise.
The character traits and attributes shared by many great teachers are similar, with some having strengths in different areas. Across different cultures, great teachers have some things in common.
- Communication Skills
The ability to communicate well with students is the sign of a great teacher. Students and teachers need to be able to speak the same ‘language’ as each other. Great teachers learn as much as they can about each student that they teach, and they do whatever necessary to help them learn. A great teacher understands that learning styles are diverse, and they figure out ways to motivate their students.
Teachers need to communicate with the parents and guardians as well, because as a team they can be more effective. Parents and teachers must be on the same side, and the best interest of the student is always first and foremost on the mind of the great teacher.
- Fairness
Great teachers are fair.Fairnessis one of the cornerstones of teaching. Students must always feel welcomed, safe, and respected in the classroom. One perceived ounce of bias could disrupt the entire learning environment. Equality must reign supreme in the classroom. Great teachers encourage students to gain confidence and feel as though there is a sense of mutual respect amongst the entire classroom.
- Confidence
Being confident can have a contagious effect on students. A great teacher stands at the front of the room, and commands attention. His or her posture is impeccable, he or she is dressed appropriately and professionally, and their speech is authoritative and proper.
A confident teacher is agreat public speaker, able to engage and sustain an audience, which is difficult in today’s Internet driven society. Great teachers know what they are talking about, and have the confidence to admit a mistake, or to listen intently to a different point of view. A confident teacher knows that they do not have all the answers, but they do have the resources to find them.
- Flexibility
Another key characteristic of a great teacher is that they are flexible. They know that a lesson plan cannot be set in stone, and that they need to adapt every lesson for the diverse learning styles within the classroom. A lesson needs to be delivered using an amalgamation ofauditory,visual, andkinestheticapproaches that give students ample opportunities to learn effectively and efficiently.
- Motivational
Students need to be motivated. They are used to quick sound bites thanks to the instant gratification of the technological world in which we currently reside. Great teachers are able to attract their attention, and get them to buy into the philosophies associated with education. Many students are sluggish, or unwilling to participate. A motivational teacher will not allow that to happen, and will do whatever necessary to inspire the student to perform to the best of their ability.
- Respectful
Students and teachers must respect one another if the learning environment is to be cohesive. Respect needs to be given to the students by the teacher, and then it can be returned. Great teachers do not listen to blather in the staff room, and do not have prejudiced thoughts about students prior to teaching them. Each student is afforded a clean slate in the classroom of the great teacher.
- Consistency
The element of consistency is a must in the classroom. Without consistency, the students will not be able to go with the flow. Great teachers keep the classroom consistent. They dole outdisciplinewhen necessary, and it is done swiftly and calmly. It is also consistent with prior disciplinary action. Every student is treated in the same manner.
- Enthusiasm
Students feed off of the enthusiasm of the great teacher. The teacher becomes more believable when they are enthusiastic about a lesson. It gives the material instant credibility, and the students are more interested in the topic at hand. The increased energy level in the classroom keeps students alert and focused, enhancing their ability to learn.
- Creativity
Some curriculum is boring. This is a fact. A great teacher finds a way to make it interesting. They find teachable moments with theircreativity, and are able to transfer knowledge to the outside world. Students often assume that the material will never be used in life after school, so the great teacher uses imagination skills and creativity to display the importance of mastering certain material and skills. The great teacher is creative with their assignments, adding an element of spice to the typically bland alternative.
- Organized
Organization goes a long way to helping a lesson to run smoothly. Without organization, a teacher is left in an awkward position. The more organized a teacher is, the more able they are to keep the learning occurring, and they are able to be more efficient with their time. Being organized helps the lessons get done on time, leaving time for work to be done in class so that homework is not required.
- Integrity
Integrity is rarely called into question when a great teacher is involved. The great teacher wears their heart on their sleeve, and always follows through with whatever is said. Great teachers always say what they mean, and they stand by their principles, no matter what the case. This is a quality of atrue leader.
- Calmness
The classroom environment needs to be calm and rational. Enthusiasm aside, great teachers know how to create a mood in the room that is conducive to learning. A calm teacher does not react harshly, and they are better able to be consistent and fair.
- Sense of Humour
A sense of humour goes a long way when you are a teacher. A quick witted comment can help break the ice, quell tension, and show humility. Great teachers know that humour is necessary, but they never cross the line, nor do they offend anybody in the process. They are willing to make fun of themselves, never denigrating a student.
Many teachers are very good at what they do. Great teachers are more of a rarity, and they leave an indelible stamp upon their students. When nostalgia returns your mind to younger years, the great teachers that you had will be there with a smile.
