essay about good qualities of a teacher

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Example Of Essay On Qualities Of A Good Teacher

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Education , Teaching , Society , Students , Goals , Character , Knowledge , Success

Published: 12/03/2019

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In the society today education is the important thing in one’s life. The kind of learning and teaching one receives depends tremendously on the type of teacher as well as the capability of the student. Additionally, teachers and students come in different types, others are good while others are a bad. The qualities of a good teacher and student are analyzed through values, character traits and behaviors, leaning and teaching style as well as goals. Good student and teacher should posses certain qualities. Undeniably, knowledge is one the character trait that a good teacher should have. Additionally, to his/her professional knowledge, good teacher should diversify her/his capability in different fields such as humanity, society, culture, and politics, so as to provide students with varied information. Good teacher should be passionate to both the subject and the students. The lessons carried out by good teachers are always entertaining and enjoyable. A good teacher always has numerous teaching styles depending on the situation. These teaching styles include delegator, facilitator, formal authority, and demonstrator. Another quality that a good teacher should have is love, devotion, and care for his/her students. In most cases students demonstrate immaturity, a good teacher should be able to handle students affectionately and gentle. He/she should be an excellent manager. Certainly, some of the characteristics of a good teacher include accessible, interesting, patient, approachable, undersdanding, fair, concern and respectful. Good teachers set their goals based on different areas; personal goals, lesson improvement goals as well as organizational goals. Some personal goals of a good teacher include being physically and emotionally equipped to handle the challenges of his/her work. Furthermore, a good teacher goal will be to improve professional relationship. On the other hand organizational goals of a good teacher are to be organized in classroom. Above all the goals of a good teacher are always directed towards the success of the student both academically and socially. All these goals become a pillar to an all rounded teacher. In reality it is difficult to find ideal good teacher. Many teachers have some qualities of good teacher but due to humanistic nature they fail in some occasions. Hence effective teaching goes beyond the teaching of the subject matter. Good teachers always share common characteristic of strong dedication to continual improvement, humility, care, and parenting, based on essential enthusiasm to inspire students to learn and be successful. The success of a good teacher depends on the qualities of a student.

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The Most Important Qualities That Make a Good Teacher

July 30, 2023

Teachers significantly impact the lives of their learners. They challenge their students to confidently think outside the box and counter new challenges. 

A good teacher will also support their learners when they take in new challenges and fail. They build their confidence to try again, inspire creativity, and encourage exploration and competition. 

Teaching is not a job but a calling. It is, therefore, crucial to acquire and perfect the required skills to efficiently inspire and grow students in their classrooms. 

Good teachers model behaviors of patience, empathy, communication, and understanding. Qualities that they can help grow in their learners. 

In this article, we discuss ten qualities of good teachers that should serve as motivation if you hope to impact the lives of your learners positively. 

The Value of a Teacher’s Role

A teacher’s role is essential not only in the education system but also later on in the lives of their students. 

You can make a difference in your student’s life by influencing everything, from educational goals to after-school success. 

Good teachers help their students reach more success, understand themselves better, and make well-thought decisions that will help them make the right choices to propel them to greater heights in life. 

To be good at your job as a teacher, you must love it. Passion is infectious; your students will feel passionate about the subject if you are passionate about it. 

Also, you can cultivate self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth in your learners in your daily interactions. 

Your interactions with your students also guide them into laying the foundation for meaningful relationships, understanding their feelings, and navigating challenging situations. 

10 Qualities of a Good Teacher

Outstanding teachers have certain qualities that make them rise above the rest of their student’s lives. Such teachers have a way of remaining in our memories no matter how far removed from our school years. 

Studies from the Economic Policy Institute show that good teachers contribute more to student achievement than learning facilities and school leadership. 

Here are our top ten qualities that make a good teacher:

1. Great communicators

When you possess excellent communication skills, you will know how to teach your subject in a learner-friendly and engaging way. 

This will, in turn, improve their understanding and achievement as it will bring you closer to them and help them present any concerns they may have regarding any learned content. 

For instance, a finance class will be easier to understand if the teacher uses everyday examples with which the students are familiar. 

2. Experts in their field

Your students will be motivated to learn if you are an expert in your field. If you love your teaching area, you will show that expertise in the classroom. 

Once you have mastered the content in your subject area, you can use different angles to explain the subject matter; hence be very resourceful when teaching. 

For instance, a math teacher can use the rows and columns in the class to enhance understanding of matrices. 

3. Collaboration

Collaboration in teaching creates a growth-based learning environment that increases student learning processes.

You should work closely with other teachers and your students if you aim for great results. 

Collaborating with other teachers helps you learn from each other, allowing you to brainstorm new ideas. This is significant in improving learner outcomes. 

A good teacher is also interested in learning from parents about their students. This equips you with an understanding of how to help your students better.

Empathy is how you understand your learner’s emotional, social, and intellectual situations. A good teacher can respond empathetically to a learner’s admirable and ugly emotions without losing focus on student learning. 

For instance, if your best student failed a test. Your first instinct might be to reprimand them and for an explanation for their poor performance. On the other hand, consider putting yourself in their situation, imagine how they are feeling, and empathize with them. 

Seek to understand how they feel about the dismal performance, what they think they did wrong, and then suggest ways to improve the result. Assure them that they have a chance to turn things around. 

When your learners feel physically, mentally, and emotionally safe, they will engage better in your subject as they feel loved and understood. 

You can grow your empathetic touch by reading books on such, taking courses on empathy, and attending seminars that build on this. 

5. Loving challenges

A great teacher loves challenges. A classroom environment is full of varied challenges; therefore, embracing them is a sure way to manage them. 

Once you love your challenges, you will teach your learners more effectively. This is because a teacher who loves challenges will grow to challenge students. Students love challenges, provided they are presented in a kind spirit. 

You can draw your students to love challenges by asking thought-provoking questions that get learners to think about sequencing and predictions. 

Challenging them will push them to work harder, improve, and achieve beyond their imagination. 

6. Creativity

Although not all subject areas promote creativity, they can all be taught creatively. 

For instance, a biology teacher teaching about different kinds of plants would take students to the natural habitat to exploit the topic practically. Also, a literature teacher would more creatively use film to enhance the mental correlation of a play the learners are reading as a literary text. 

A science teacher would use real solutions more creatively when teaching learners to test for bases and acids. Learners always appreciate the extra mile. 

When you creatively motivate your learners, they are motivated to do this in education and their lives after school. 

7. Constant growth 

Teachers need a growth mindset that prepares them for the classroom environment. Continuous learning will equip you with invaluable knowledge to progressively inspire your students. The growth mindset is essential because it will enable you to collaborate with your learners with the understanding that they can learn it to a higher level. 

A view that continuous growth is essential will create a love of learning and resilience in just one area. It empowers your learners to believe they can develop their abilities with brains and talents as starting points. 

The need for growth will motivate you to focus on creativity and intelligence, the two factors that result in success in both your academic and professional lives. 

8. Patience

When managing learners, your patience is constantly tested. You will also deal with learners, parents, and colleagues with differing perspectives, backgrounds, and characters. This requires patience. 

For instance, with your learners and their parents, you must be patient in repeatedly dealing with the same questions and issues.

Also, some of your learners will have difficulties understanding various concepts; it’s essential that you keep going but should continuously try out new ways of helping them succeed. 

9. Adaptability

Your environment as a teacher is constantly evolving. This demands that you continually adapt to the constant changes and adjust your teaching methods to suit the age and intellect of your learners. 

Also, with the continuously changing educational frameworks, being able to adopt those changes makes you a good teacher. 

Adaptability is also one of the essential skills that you will require if you are educating learners of varying grade levels or those with different learning styles. 

10. Respect

Many educators imply respect, but few understand how to use it in the classroom. 

As a good teacher, you must be mindful of any imbalance in respect and ensure that your students feel respected and heard. 

In stories from American Teacher Week , Maggie remembers her seventh-grade language teacher for the respect she fostered and reflected on her students. The feeling that her teacher valued and respected each of them taught her a valuable lesson about the significance of fostering the respect you demand.

Desired Classroom Skills

Besides the teaching and communication skills you should possess as a good teacher, excellent class management skills are critical.  

Some of the desired class management skills include:

• Setting high but achievable expectations for your students – You can do this by teaching them about growth mindsets. They should believe that success is within their control. Reinforce in them daily that they can succeed if they put in the effort. 
• Good planning skills – With good planning skills, you will help students identify their goals and guide them in deciding what their priority is. Teach them how to plan their learning by breaking their tasks into steps to make them more manageable. Teaching learners how to plan will also eliminate uncertainty in the mind, which in most learners results in procrastination. 
• Creating a sense of community- A sense of community will create a social connection and a sense of belonging among your learners. You can establish this community within your students by consistently holding class meetings every morning to focus on building social and emotional skills and establishing relationships among them. 

Common Weaknesses of Teachers

Teachers, even the most experienced, are helpful with some weaknesses. Every teacher would like to see themselves as being perfect, but admitting that we are all flawed in different ways is the first step to becoming better teachers tomorrow. 

Here are some common weaknesses in teachers: 

Perfectionism

Making mistakes is a normal part of human life. Perfectionism is a fear-based pattern whose short-term rewards are getting the job done and exceeding expectations. Its long-term effects, however, include burnout, compromised quality of work, and missed deadlines. 

Being afraid to make mistakes primes us for burnout and overwhelms us with fear, factors that distort our functioning as teachers. 

Dealing with others as a perfectionist is challenging since you will always want them to do things your way, allowing little room for the ideas and imperfections of others. 

Perfectionism also prevents you from taking constructive criticism from colleagues who may want to share relevant observations on your interaction. 

Though no one is perfect, some teachers seem to have it together, and this may be the basis for our comparison. Comparison can hinder your success as a teacher if you are constantly comparing yourself with colleagues you view as perfect. 

Learning helpful hints and new ideas from teachers with the strengths we would like to possess would help you overcome comparison.

For instance, if a colleague is better at relating with learners and they look up to her more for guidance, instead of getting all jealous and bitter at her, seek to know what she does differently to get the students to open up to her. 

Spontaneous

If you are a spontaneous teacher, you act without planning but will rely on previous experience teaching diverse classes and using different approaches to teaching. 

Spontaneity in learning is not all bad, as it helps adjust the power imbalances in a typical classroom. Spontaneous teaching, however, can have some adverse effects on learning. This can result in a lack of structure to your lesson and poor lesson organization. It may also limit your degree of learner assessment of learner progress and achievement. 

To avoid the adverse effects of spontaneity, find a balance between flexibility and structure in the lesson. Consider the individual learner’s needs and learning abilities when deciding on the instructional method. 

Becoming a Good Teacher

A chosen path can guide you into becoming a better teacher. Many specialties are available, so knowing what grade you want to teach and what subject area you are passionate about is essential. 

Here are some steps to take toward becoming a good teacher. 

Bachelor’s Degree 

A bachelor’s degree is crucial to becoming a good teacher. Though most states will require a bachelor’s degree in education, alternative routes to licensure are also available. 

 It will allow you to learn essential skills that will help you become a better teacher. Such include:

• Cognitive skills : A degree program grows your ability to recall, integrate, and analyze information. You will be able to foster critical and creative thinking skills that guide fluency, originality, flexibility, and adaptability in developing and adjusting to learner programs. 
• Communication skills: Acquiring communication skills enables you to interact and collaborate effectively with your learners in delivering and assessing knowledge acquisition. Efficient communication is necessary when also engaging with students’ families and colleagues. 
• Research skills: The skills to initiate and complete data collection concerning learner performance and curricula are essential in effective instruction. A bachelor’s degree program will guide you into effectively demonstrating, considering consequences, information presentation, and record keeping. 
• Social skills: A good teacher is sensitive to ethical and integral processes of establishing functional relationships with all the school community members. The program will develop compassion, empathy, interpersonal skills, and internal motivation, skills you will require to impact your learners and effectively relate with your colleagues positively. 

Here is a list of some bachelor’s degrees that would guide you into initial certification as a teacher:

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Special Ed. and Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Special Education (mild to moderate)
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education (middle grades)
• Bachelor of Science in Science Education (Secondary Biological Science)
• Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
• Bachelor of Science in STEM Education

Master’s Degree

Besides attaining a bachelor’s degree, aspiring teachers should also think about acquiring a master’s degree. A master’s degree will upgrade your knowledge and help you learn more about your subject area. You will also acquire more effective ways of curriculum instruction. 

Teaching Certification

To get hired after completing your degree program, getting certified to teach in the state where you are interested in teaching is essential. 

Getting certified gives you credibility as a teacher and is one of the states’ quality measures for hiring teachers. 

Most states will therefore require teachers to have certificates to teach. 

Teachers are crucial in changing lives, inspiring dreams, and pushing individuals to realize their potential. Teachers educate the next generation, promoting positive attitudes that shape society. 

Middle School Teacher Salary in Texas in 2023

July 30, 2023 by bryan

Texas Teachers Certification Areas

Texas teachers currently offers 50+ certification areas:.

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• Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Russian EC–12 (603 & 608)
• Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Spanish EC–12 (613)
• Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Vietnamese EC–12 (604 & 609)
• Life Science 7–12 (238)
• Marketing 6–12 (275)
• Mathematics 4–8 (115)
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• Social Studies 4–8 (118)
• Social Studies 7–12 (232)
• Special Education EC–12 (161)
• Speech 7–12 (129)
• Technology Applications EC–12 (242)
• Technology Education 6–12 (171)
• Texas Assessment of Sign Communication–American Sign Language™ (TASC–ASL™) (073)
• Theatre EC–12 (180)
• Trade and Industrial (T&I)

• Qualities Of A Good Teacher Essay

Qualities of a Good Teacher Essay

500+ words qualities of a good teacher essay.

Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the minds of children and, in turn, the quality of education. Teachers are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the subject, establish a positive relationship with students and create an effective learning environment for students to get enriched learning experiences. Their duties also involve conducting an assessment of students, working closely with other teachers to deliver the best knowledge and inculcate values in them. Teachers build a base and strengthen the foundation of their students. With the help of the qualities of a good teacher essay, students will get to know the qualities that teachers have and the role they play in shaping the career of the students. To practise more essays, students can check out the list of CBSE Essays on different topics.

A teacher is an important person in a student’s life. The teacher shapes the student in a similar way as a pot maker shapes the mud pot and makes it perfect for use. Moreover, teachers are an integral part of the education system. They play multiple roles in which they do their duties with full responsibilities. These include facilitating learning material for students, creating a conducive learning environment, designing and preparing lessons, engaging students with the community by performing different activities, and contributing to schools’ development. If they are left with the time, they engage themselves to boost their teaching skills through workshops and training sessions. These activities also make teachers motivated, highly skilled, and well-resourced to perform to the best of their abilities.

One of the important roles of a teacher is to facilitate students’ learning and support them in achieving their learning outcomes. As teachers, many times, they might get puzzled by the fact that, despite putting in the best effort, the students are not performing to the best of their potential. Self-reflection and introspection of teacher’s practices, inside and outside the classroom, will help one understand some of the aspects that require further modification and improvement. The teacher may be already practising some of the innovative pedagogical approaches in the classroom that might be very effective for enriching the teaching-learning process.

The self-assessment of the teachers is also crucial. It helps in the professional growth of teachers as well as serves as a guide to improve their teaching methodology. The role that a teacher expects includes designing the activities for the classroom, resources, learning outcomes, pedagogical strategies and assessment procedures to meet the needs of all students. The teacher helps them understand the subject content and course curriculum and provides relevant learning material for students.

Teachers collaborate with parents, students and communities to develop a positive school environment for students that enhances their physical and mental growth. The teacher engages students in classroom studies in an interactive and innovative way. It results in enhanced student learning and growth. Moreover, teachers also take the initiative by contributing to various activities, which lead to the schools’ and students’ development.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Teacher — What Makes a Good Teacher: Main Qualities

What Makes a Good Teacher: Main Qualities

• Categories: Teacher Teacher-Student Relationships

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Words: 653 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 653 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

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Passion for teaching, effective communication, adaptability and flexibility, interpersonal skills and empathy, dedication to student growth.

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1. Empathy and Compassion

2. strong communication skills, 3. patience, 4. adaptability, 5. deep knowledge and passion for the subject matter, 6. innovative thinking, 7. commitment to lifelong learning, 8. classroom management skills, 9. cultural competency, 10. feedback and assessment skills.

What makes an exceptional teacher? Is it the depth of their knowledge, or perhaps something more? In today’s dynamic educational landscape, the qualities of a good teacher extend far beyond traditional teaching metrics. They involve empathy, adaptability, and a passion for fostering inclusive environments where every student feels valued.

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Today, being a great teacher isn’t just about knowing your subject inside out. It’s about connecting with your students, embracing technology, and being adaptable. This blog aims to uncover what makes a truly good teacher. We’ll explore the must-have qualities, the soft skills that make a difference, and the hard skills essential in today’s classrooms.

So, let’s dive into what it takes to not just teach but to leave a mark on the future.

One of the most vital teacher qualities is the ability to understand and connect with students on a personal level. Empathy and compassion involve recognizing each student’s unique challenges and needs, whether they’re struggling academically, socially, or personally. A teacher can demonstrate this by listening to students’ concerns, offering support, and adapting lessons to include diverse perspectives. 

For example, a teacher might notice a student’s interest in a particular topic and incorporate it into the curriculum, making learning more relevant and engaging for that individual.

Effective teaching is rooted in clear and concise communication. This good teacher trait is about more than just delivering content; it’s about engaging students in a way that makes the material understandable and exciting. Strong communication also means explaining complex concepts in simple terms and using various methods, such as visual aids or interactive activities, to reinforce learning. 

An example of this in action is when a teacher uses storytelling to bring historical events to life, making it easier for students to remember and relate to the information.

Patience is a cornerstone among the qualities of a good teacher. It’s the ability to remain calm and composed, even when faced with classroom challenges or endless questions from curious minds. This quality is crucial for creating a learning environment where students feel valued and heard. 

A patient teacher might take extra time to explain a difficult math problem to a student, ensuring they understand the concept before moving on, or might calmly manage disruptions, keeping the class focused and productive.

The educational landscape is constantly changing, and adaptability is key to keeping up. This quality allows teachers to modify their teaching strategies to suit new technologies, curriculum changes, and the diverse learning styles of their students. 

For instance, an adaptable teacher might shift to online teaching tools if they notice students are more engaged with digital content or incorporate current events into lessons to make learning more relevant and immediate. This flexibility keeps lessons fresh and demonstrates a commitment to meeting students where they are.

A fundamental trait among the qualities a teacher should have is a thorough understanding of their subject combined with a genuine passion for it. This combination is infectious, inspiring students to develop a love for learning . When a teacher is excited about their teaching topics, this enthusiasm translates into more engaging and dynamic lessons. 

For example, a history teacher passionate about their subject might dress up as historical figures or use artifacts to bring history to life, thereby sparking students’ interest in learning more about the past.

In today’s fast-paced world, teachers must have the ability to think outside the box. Innovative thinking involves developing creative teaching strategies that make learning more interactive and fun. This could mean incorporating games, technology, or project-based learning to cater to different learning styles and keep students engaged. 

A teacher might use apps to create interactive quizzes instead of traditional paper-and-pencil tests, making assessments more enjoyable and less intimidating for students.

The best teachers view education as a continuous journey. A quality of a good teacher is being committed to lifelong learning, which means staying abreast of the latest educational trends, research, and technologies. This commitment ensures that their teaching methods remain relevant and effective. 

Teachers can model the love of learning to their students by attending workshops, enrolling in professional development courses, or simply reading up on new teaching strategies.

Effective classroom management is essential for creating an environment where all students can learn and thrive. This involves establishing clear classroom rules , setting expectations, and fostering a sense of respect and cooperation among students. Teaching qualities like patience, consistency, and fairness play a significant role in successful classroom management. 

An example of good classroom management is when a teacher uses positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior, helping students understand the value of respect and collaboration.

In an increasingly diverse world, cultural competency is a critical quality of a good teacher. It’s about creating an inclusive classroom environment that respects and celebrates differences among students. This quality enables teachers to effectively communicate and connect with students from various backgrounds, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. 

Incorporating multicultural literature, celebrating different cultural holidays, and encouraging students to share their own experiences are ways to foster an inclusive learning environment.

A critical aspect of good teaching skills is the ability to provide feedback and assess student work in a way that promotes growth and improvement. Constructive feedback helps students understand their strengths and areas for development, guiding them toward achieving their goals . 

For instance, a teacher might use the “sandwich” method—starting with a positive note, followed by constructive criticism, and ending with encouragement—to ensure that feedback is received in a supportive manner. This approach helps students improve and keeps them motivated to learn.

11. Professionalism

Professionalism encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes, including adhering to ethical standards, maintaining a positive demeanor, and showing respect to students, colleagues, and parents. One of the best teacher qualities is being a role model for students, demonstrating integrity, reliability, and respect in every interaction. 

For example, a teacher might handle a challenging situation with a student privately instead of in front of the class, showing respect for the student’s dignity while addressing the issue.

12. Motivational Skills

The ability to motivate students is among the most impactful characteristics of a good teacher. It involves encouraging students to set high expectations for themselves and supporting them as they work to achieve their full potential. 

A motivational teacher inspires students through positive reinforcement, celebrating their achievements, no matter how small. They might also set challenging yet achievable goals for the class, helping students see the value of hard work and perseverance.

10 Important Soft and Hard Skills Every Teacher Must Have

5 soft skills for teachers.

1. ​​Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is crucial for managing one’s emotions and understanding those of others, which in turn helps build strong relationships within the classroom and beyond. 

Teachers with high emotional intelligence can recognize their students’ emotional and psychological needs, offering support and empathy. This skill allows educators to create a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels valued and understood.

2. Active Listening

Active listening involves fully concentrating on what is being said, understanding the message, responding thoughtfully, and remembering key points. This skill is vital for teachers as it helps them better understand their students’ perspectives, doubts, and queries, making them feel heard and respected. 

By practicing active listening, teachers can provide more personalized support and foster a more engaging learning experience.

3. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking enables teachers to evaluate information objectively and make reasoned judgments. This skill is important for their decision-making and as a model for students. Teachers can encourage students to question assumptions, consider multiple perspectives, and develop their problem-solving skills by demonstrating critical thinking. 

4. Collaboration

The ability to work effectively with colleagues, parents, and the community is indispensable. Collaboration enhances the learning environment by pooling diverse ideas and resources. Teachers who excel in collaboration can more effectively advocate for their students’ needs, develop innovative educational programs, and foster a sense of community within the classroom. 

5. Creativity

Creativity is the ability to generate innovative ideas for teaching and problem-solving. Creative teachers can adapt their teaching methods to suit the varied learning styles of their students, making learning more accessible and enjoyable. 

5 Hard Skills Every Teacher Must Have

1. Curriculum Development

The ability to design effective lesson plans and course materials is crucial for tailoring education to meet the needs of all students. Curriculum development involves structuring educational content that is both comprehensive and engaging, ensuring that lessons align with educational standards and objectives. 

An adept teacher crafts these plans to cover the required syllabus and incorporate elements stimulating students’ curiosity and encouraging deeper understanding.

2. Educational Technology Proficiency

In today’s digital age, proficiency with educational technology is indispensable. This skill enables teachers to leverage digital tools and platforms to enhance the learning experience, making it more interactive and accessible. Whether it’s using online resources for collaborative projects or incorporating multimedia elements into presentations, technology proficiency allows for more dynamic and effective teaching methods.

3. Data Literacy

In education, data literacy refers to the ability to gather, interpret, and use educational data effectively. This skill is crucial for analyzing student performance data, understanding assessment results, and applying this information to refine teaching strategies and improve student outcomes. 

A prime example of how data literacy can be applied in a practical educational setting is using SplashLearn . 

• SplashLearn is an interactive learning platform that provides real-time data on student performance across various subjects. 
• By engaging with SplashLearn, teachers can track individual and class progress in a detailed and accessible manner. 
• SplashLearn’s analytics allow educators to pinpoint specific areas where students may be struggling, facilitating the development of targeted instructional strategies to address these learning gaps .

4. Assessment and Evaluation

Developing and implementing various assessment methods are key to monitoring and supporting student progress. This involves traditional testing and alternative evaluation forms, such as portfolios, presentations, and peer reviews, which can provide a more comprehensive view of student learning. 

Effective teachers use these tools to identify strengths and areas for improvement, guiding their instructional decisions and providing targeted support where needed.

5. Project-Based Learning 

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. Developing skills in designing and implementing PBL requires teachers to create projects that are complex, require critical thinking, and collaboration, and draw on multiple areas of knowledge. Teachers learn to guide students through extended projects that offer deep engagement with subjects and build a wide range of useful skills.

The journey to embody the qualities of a good teacher involves a continuous commitment to developing soft and hard skills. By nurturing these essential attributes, educators can create a learning environment that is informative, and engaging but also supportive, and inclusive for all students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the strengths and weaknesses of a teacher.

A teacher’s strengths often include strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of their subject matter. Weaknesses might involve challenges with technology integration, difficulties in classroom management, or the need for further development in assessment strategies.

What makes you stand out from other teachers?

What makes a teacher stand out is their unique approach to engaging students, their innovative use of technology and teaching methods, and their commitment to personal and professional growth. A standout teacher continuously seeks ways to improve and adapt, making learning a memorable and impactful experience for their students.

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10 Qualities of a Good Teacher

A good teacher can make a world of difference in a student's life, impacting everything from their classroom learning to their long-term success. If you're considering a career in education – or looking to boost it with a Master of Education  (MEd) – it's important to explore the qualities of a good teacher.

Research from the Economic Policy Institute shows that good teachers are the single most important factor that contributes to student achievement in the classroom, more important than facilities, school resources and even school leadership.

A study from the American Economics Association (AEA) found that improvements in teacher quality positively impact everything from the quality of colleges students attend to students’ future salaries, the quality of their neighborhood and even their future participation rates in 401k savings plans ( AEA PDF source ).

So, What Makes a Good Teacher?

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) education faculty and university students shared their thoughts on the qualities that make effective teachers stand out.

1. Good Teachers Are Strong Communicators.

Tanguay got his start as a high school math teacher and said that many students came to his class feeling afraid of math, discouraged by their prior experiences and too overwhelmed to approach the subject positively. 

By communicating with students at the beginning of the year about how math applies to their favorite hobbies, sports and future careers, Tanguay said his students were able to approach the subject in a more enjoyable way that better supported their learning.

“I’m a firm believer in communication in all forms,” he said. “As a leader, communication is a tool for overcoming fear.”

2. Good Teachers Listen Well.

Great communication doesn't stop when the teacher is done talking. Listening well is one of the most important skills needed to be a teacher. 

“Teachers that are skilled in listening and observing often pick up on what isn’t being said, such as any anxieties a student may have, and can then help the student build their skills and confidence levels," said student  Kristine Ducote , who is earning her bachelor's in criminal justice .

Student Latricia Maddox , who is studying for a bachelor's in business , said that effective listening skills also help a teacher better understand their students and tailor lessons to reach them how they learn best. 

“If an educator can truly hear a student, they can learn how to reach them where they are,” she said. “This will open the door for them to receive and learn the lesson that is being taught.”

3. Good Teachers Focus on Collaboration.

Working in education means you’re never truly working alone. From paraprofessionals and teaching assistants to other classroom teachers and school leaders, working as a teacher often means working effectively in a group. It's also important to keep an open mind and learn from other educators. 

The key to success in this kind of environment, Tanguay said, is the ability to collaborate. "You really need to be able to fill various roles in order to collaborate effectively," he said. "If you already have someone on your team who is going to be the one to critique all of the suggestions made, then you don't need to join in on that. Instead, maybe you need to be the person who is going to come up with creative ideas. You need to have that flexibility."

4. Good Teachers Are Adaptable.

Effective teachers need to be able to work in a constantly evolving environment and adjust their teaching methods based on the age of their students, the resources available and changing curriculum, practices and requirements.

As a teacher since the 1980s, SNHU education professor and on campus undergraduate program chairman Dr. Audrey Rogers said she’s seen tremendous changes in the education field throughout her career, particularly with the rise in access to the internet, computers and other technology. What is teaching going to look like in another 30 years? The only thing certain, Rogers said, is change.

“Change is a constant,” she said. “Learning how to adapt and adjust, that’s been one of the skills that’s been most helpful in my career. It’s about keeping my finger on the pulse of who my students are over time and all the trends, standards and new research, and being able to continually improve.”

Adaptability is also one of the key skills needed to be a teacher who may be educating students of varying grade levels or different learning styles, Tanguay said. 

“You have to be able to adapt based upon your audience,” he said. 

5. Good Teachers Are Engaging.

Being able to engage students with humor, creative lessons and a strong classroom presence is an important part of what makes someone a good teacher, Tanguay said. 

“If you were to envision that teacher that you would want in your life, even now, you’re going to want someone who is very engaging in front of the classroom,” he said. “A good teacher will perform for their students to keep them going... It’s not about sitting back and just lecturing, it’s about engaging in the work.”

What an engaging teacher looks like will vary depending on grade level and subject matter, Tanguay said. 

In kindergarten, an engaging teacher might be one who gets down on the floor to do activities with their students on their level. In high school, an engaging teacher may be one who thinks outside the box, adds humor to their lessons and finds creative ways to bring learning into the real world.

6. Good Teachers Show Empathy.

Another key to engaging students and improving their learning is to treat each student as an individual, by being empathetic and understanding to what may be going on in their lives, Tanguay said. 

“We need to take a moment to think back and think about what could be going on in this student’s life,” he said. “It’s so important to be observant, attentive, empathetic and always have a positive attitude.” 

“Something that may be easy for one student may not be so easy for someone else,” she said. “Everyone learns differently, whether it be faster or slower than normal, learns better by writing, reading or hands-on. Teachers need to always keep this in mind and always pay close attention to ensure each student is on the track they need to be.”

7. Good Teachers Have Patience.

No matter what grade level you're teaching, your patience will be tested while working as an educator.  

Whether you’re managing classroom behavior, working with colleagues with different views, or communicating student issues or progress with parents, patience is one of the most important skills to practice as a teacher. 

“More often than not you actually have to have more patience with the parents than you do with the students,” Tanguay said. “Parents are coming in with their perceptions of what happened to them when they were students or previous experiences that may have been detrimental to their child... You have to be patient and understanding of them.”

8. Good Teachers Value Real-World Learning.

Teachers who bring their students’ learning into the real world are often some of the most engaging. But it’s important for teachers to bring their own learning into the real world, too.

One of the best preparations for effective teaching is to ensure that education students get plenty of classroom experience early on in their degree programs, Rogers said.

For education majors  in SNHU's on campus program, this preparation includes embedded coursework that begins in a student's freshmen year. They spend time at a local school once a week to collaborate with teacher partners and apply their learning to the classroom. A year-long student teaching experience is also a powerful way to ensure soon-to-be teachers have the time to hone their teaching skills, Rogers said.

"Our students have that benefit of seeing the practical application (of) what they're learning in the moment they're learning it," she said.

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9. good teachers share best practices..

A willingness to share knowledge and experiences with others is one of the most important qualities of a good teacher, Rogers said. 

Education is a hands-on field and often requires experimentation within the classroom to discover which methods of communicating with students work best. Part of being an effective teacher is sharing your findings and best practices with others in the field, Rogers said.

“I always challenge my students to think, ‘What is your contribution?’” she said. “Are you brave enough to post on Twitter about your ideas on technology integration in the classroom? Your willingness to share your practice, to keep an open door, to be transparent and to be observed are an important part of your teaching.”

10. Good Teachers Are Lifelong Learners.

One of the key skills needed to be a good teacher is a dedication to continued education and a love of learning. 

Whether you’re learning more about your subject area, learning new methods of communication or even exploring how to bring more technology into your classroom, continuing to expand your own knowledge is key to expanding that of your students.

“Those dedicated to their subjects with a passion for learning make the best teachers," said student Jennifer Gardner , who is earning a bachelor's in mathematics . “They also need to have a desire to pass on that knowledge.” 

Ducote said it’s important for teachers to never feel as though they’ve learned it all, and to remain open to new experiences.

“No matter your education level, you can learn something from everyone you encounter, including fellow educators as well as students,” she said. “Being willing to continually add tools to your toolbox – even unconventional ones at times – will keep things new and exciting, as well as giving you excellent skills.”

Learn the Characteristics of Effective Teaching

If you’re interested in starting a career in education, it’s important to first focus on your own learning. Whether you’re seeking a bachelor's degree in education, an education master’s degree or even a Doctor of Education  (EdD), building a strong foundation of knowledge and real-world experiences is key to becoming a good teacher.

No matter where your career path takes you – whether to an elementary school, secondary school or even to the university level – your teaching can have a profound impact on the lives of students, and your education is the foundation for that work.

“Teachers make such a huge impact on their students’ lives,” said student Donna Whisman , who is earning her bachelor's in communication . “I believe that being a teacher is a very special gift, and those that have that gift make a positive, lasting impression on the lives of their students that can totally change the trajectory of their lives.”

Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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About southern new hampshire university.

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU  page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

Essay on What Makes A Good Teacher

Students are often asked to write an essay on What Makes A Good Teacher in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on What Makes A Good Teacher

A good teacher must have patience. Teaching different students who learn at their own pace requires the ability to wait calmly. When a teacher is patient, students feel more comfortable asking questions and making mistakes, which is a big part of learning.

A teacher needs to know their subject well. This doesn’t just mean knowing a lot of facts. It means understanding the subject deeply enough to explain it in simple ways. When a teacher knows their subject, they can make learning exciting and meaningful.

Kindness is key in teaching. A kind teacher creates a welcoming environment for students. This encourages students to try their best and not be afraid of failure. A kind teacher supports students and helps them grow with encouragement.

Communication

Being able to share ideas clearly is important for a teacher. They need to explain lessons in ways that all students can understand. Good communication also means listening to students and understanding their needs. This helps in solving problems and making learning effective.

Also check:

• Paragraph on What Makes A Good Teacher

250 Words Essay on What Makes A Good Teacher

Qualities of a good teacher.

A good teacher is one who is passionate about teaching and is dedicated to helping students learn. They are patient, understanding, and encouraging, and they make learning fun and engaging. Good teachers are also well-prepared and organized, and they are able to clearly explain complex concepts in a way that students can understand.

Characteristics of a Good Teacher

There are many qualities that make a good teacher, but some of the most important include:

• Passion: Good teachers love teaching and are excited about sharing their knowledge with students.
• Patience: Good teachers are patient and understanding, and they are able to work with students who are struggling.
• Encouragement: Good teachers are encouraging and supportive, and they help students to feel confident in their abilities.
• Organization: Good teachers are well-prepared and organized, and they are able to clearly explain complex concepts in a way that students can understand.
• Creativity: Good teachers are creative and are able to find new and engaging ways to teach students.

The Impact of Good Teachers

Good teachers have a positive impact on the lives of their students. They help students to develop a love of learning, and they prepare them for success in college, career, and life. Good teachers also make a difference in the community, as they help to create a more informed and engaged citizenry.

In conclusion, good teachers are essential to the success of students and society. They are passionate about teaching, patient, understanding, and encouraging. They are also well-prepared and organized, and they are able to clearly explain complex concepts in a way that students can understand. Good teachers have a positive impact on the lives of their students and make a difference in the community.

500 Words Essay on What Makes A Good Teacher

Understanding the role of a teacher.

A teacher is someone who helps students learn and grow. They play a vital role in shaping the minds of young people and preparing them for the future. Good teachers are passionate about their subjects and are always looking for new ways to make learning fun and engaging. They are patient, understanding, and supportive, and they always put the needs of their students first.

There are many qualities that make a good teacher. Some of the most important ones include:

Passion for Learning:

Good teachers love to learn and are always eager to share their knowledge with others. They are excited about their subjects and are able to convey that excitement to their students.

Excellent Communication Skills:

Good teachers are able to communicate effectively with students of all ages and backgrounds. They are able to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise way, and they are able to listen to and understand the needs of their students.

Patience and Understanding:

Good teachers are patient and understanding. They know that all students learn at different paces, and they are willing to work with students who are struggling. They are also understanding of the challenges that students may face outside of the classroom, and they are willing to help students overcome these challenges.

Enthusiasm and Positivity:

Good teachers are enthusiastic and positive. They are able to create a positive learning environment where students feel safe and supported. They are also able to motivate students to learn and to reach their full potential.

Creating a Positive Learning Environment

A positive learning environment is one where students feel safe, respected, and challenged. Good teachers create this type of environment by:

Setting Clear Expectations:

Good teachers set clear expectations for their students. They make sure that students know what is expected of them in terms of behavior and academic achievement.

Providing Support:

Good teachers provide support to their students. They are available to answer questions, offer help, and provide encouragement. They also create a classroom culture where students feel comfortable asking for help when they need it.

Encouraging Respect:

Good teachers encourage respect among their students. They teach students to respect each other and to respect their teachers. They also model respectful behavior themselves.

Making Learning Fun:

Good teachers make learning fun. They use a variety of teaching methods and activities to keep students engaged. They also find ways to make learning relevant to students’ lives.

Good teachers are essential for the success of students. They play a vital role in shaping the minds of young people and preparing them for the future. Good teachers are passionate about learning, have excellent communication skills, are patient and understanding, and are enthusiastic and positive. They create a positive learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and challenged.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Essay on teacher: qualities, roles and responsibilities.

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Read this article to learn about the qualities, roles and responsibilities of teacher in a school.

Qualities of a Good Teacher in School:

The teacher plays an important role in school. He is not simply to impart knowledge but also mould the habits, traits and character of pupils. He is to achieve educational objectives through the curriculum of the school.

In order to discharge his duties effectively he must possess certain qualities and qualifications which may be described as under:

1. General Academic Background:

The teacher is required to answer questions which require fair command of subject. He should have sufficient knowledge so far as the pupils are concerned. That is why minimum qualifications are laid down for the appointment of teachers in schools. For primary school, the teachers should be at least matriculate. For middle schools, the teacher should be at least graduate. For high schools, the teacher should be an M.A. In addition to knowledge of his subject, he should have sufficient general knowledge. For this he should have literary tastes. He must be a well read person.

2. Professional Efficiency:

Knowledge of the subject matter is not sufficient to be a good teacher. A first rate scholar may be a poor teacher. He must have some pre-service training, so that he is conversant with things and outcomes of teaching. While in service, he should attend short-term refresher courses, workshops, seminars and educational conferences so that he goes on adding to this professional efficiency. The teacher should have a sense of dedication to the teaching profession. He should be dedicated to teaching and teach enthusiastically. Teacher’s enthusiasm, professional insight and sense of dedication are his valuable assets.

3. Personality Traits:

Teacher’s personality traits have deep impact on the pupils.

The following traits in the teacher are worth mentioning here:

(1) Love for children:

The teacher must love his pupils. He must understand them individually and try to help them in overcoming their difficulties. His attitude should be sympathetic and friendly.

(2) A man of character:

The teacher should have high moral character. He should have sound principle of life as his ideas and conduct will affect the children profoundly.

(3) Emotionally Stable:

The teacher must be emotionally stable. He must be free from complexes, worries and frustration. An emotionally unstable teacher cannot do justice to his work.

(4) Good expression:

The teacher must be able to express his thoughts clearly His oral and written expression must be good. He has to write reports and so many other things. His speech, pronunciation and voice must also be impressive.

(5) Sense of Humour:

In the school, the teacher should have smiling face and a cheerful look while teaching. His sense of humour will help him to overcome very serious situations, which can be sometimes laughed away.

(6) Social Traits:

The teacher should be sociable in nature. He must maintain good relations with his colleagues, pupils and their parents and general public. He must be mixing with people. Only then he will be able to develop social virtues in students.

(7) Leadership quality:

The teacher should be able to provide effective leadership to the children who are immature and need guidance in matters of study, activities and other courses etc.

Role of the Teacher:

Teaching is a complicated job. It is not mere communication of knowledge to the student. Even knowledge cannot be handed over to students like currency. The teacher has to attend to a number of factors while working in the school.

Some of his functions may be discussed as under :

1. Role in Teaching:

Teaching is the first and foremost duty of the teacher. The teacher should prepare his lessons regularly. He must motivate the pupils and use methods and techniques of teaching suitable for particular group of students. He must always try to improve his teaching skills. He should give regular home work and check it regularly. Activities on the part of pupils should be properly stimulated and directed.

2. Role in Planning:

In order to be a successful teacher, the teacher must plan his work well. At the first place he should plan his teaching work. He should decide how much work is to be done in a particular month and in a particular week. Daily teaching work must also be planned. He should plan use of teaching aids in advance. Activities of the pupils are also to be planned by him.

3. Role in Organizing:

The teacher has to organize a number of activities in the school. He has to organize the school plant. He should see that the class-rooms are well-equipped. He has to make seating arrangements, distribute equipment’s and keep it neat and clean.

He has to organize instructional works dividing the syllabus into units, classification of students, construction of time-table and co-curricular activities are also to be organised. Besides library work, laboratory work, sports etc. need proper organisation.

4. Role in Supervising:

The teacher has to supervise a number of tasks and activities. He is required to supervise attendance of pupils, their daily work, home work, their work habits and behaviour. He has to maintain order and discipline in the school. He may have to supervise pupils in the hostel.

5. Role in Guiding:

The teacher not only supervises pupils and their work but also gives them tasks relating to selection of courses, home work, and other study activities. Pupils study habits and work habits have to be guided properly. He must pay attention to all children particularly to the delinquent, abnormal and mal-adjusted children. Guidance in health matters is also to be given.

6. Role in Evaluating:

Work of the pupils and their participation should be evaluated by the teacher from time to time. It is evaluation which will throw light on teachers’ work and pupil’s achievement. Evaluation will point out weakness in teaching and learning process and the teacher can adopt suitable remedial measures. The teacher has to conduct house tests and report the progress of pupils to parents and the headmaster. Policies of promotion have to be chalked out in the light of evaluation.

7. Role in Recording:

The teacher has to maintain record of pupil’s achievement in different subjects and activities. He has to record their admission, attendance, their scores, in different tests. The teacher may also be required to maintain school records such as property register, supply of equipment, issue of book etc. He also has to write annual reports of various activities and functions done during the year.

8. Role in Maintaining Relations:

It is the duty of the teacher to maintain good relations with the pupils, their parents and general public. For this purpose, parents teachers association may be organised by the teacher. The relationship with parents will solve many problems. The teacher must have healthy and cordial relations with the headmaster and his colleagues. For all this the teacher should posses a sociable nature.

Responsibilities of a Teacher:

Teaching is a tri-polar process which has three indispensable elements or constituents-the teacher or educator, the taught or educed and the curriculum. Out of these three, the teacher plays the most significant role in making the teaching process a grand success. Because the teacher is the real practitioner of the teaching learning process.

He is the pivot in any system of education around which the whole system of education revolves. It is dead sure that the importance of school building, school furniture and equipment, curriculum, the text-books cannot be ignored. But without the teacher, they all are meaningless. But it is not simply the teacher, rather good teachers that are required in this connection. Dr, E.A, Piry says, “If a nations teachers are C3 the nation itself cannot but the C3, and let there be no doubt about this if we wish to be an A-1 nation our teachers will have to be A-1”.

The importance of good teachers is emphasized by Professor, Humayun Kabir by saying without good teachers, even the best of system is bound to fail. With good teachers, even the defects of the system can be largely overcome. The importance of the teacher is also stressed by the Secondary Education Commission (1952-53) in the following words: “We are however convinced that the most important factor in the contemplated educational reconstruction is the teacher—his personal qualities, his educational qualification, his professional training and the place he occupies in the school as well as in the community.

In the words of The Education Commission (1964-66), “of all the different factors which influence the quality of education, and in contribution to material development, the quality, the competence and character of teacher are undoubtedly the most significant. After having such discussion it will be better if we provide an insight into the role or duties and responsibilities after having discussion on the qualification or qualities of a good teacher.

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Characteristics of an Effective Teacher Essay

Introduction, reference list.

Following the current technological advancement in technology and modernization, the demand for education has been revealed to rise sharply among the various age groups in contemporary society. On this basis, therefore, the quality of teachers entrusted with the task of teaching the current technologically oriented society should be credited to a big extent. As it has been revealed, many teachers fail to affect many educational programs among the learners as a result of poor training grounds for them thus making them lack various crucial characteristics that teachers should have. This paper presents a critical overview of characteristics that the current teachers should have to be effective in their teaching (Dube & Sibusiso, 1997).

Perhaps, an effective teacher should be able to motivate and encourage his/her learners as well as counsel them in various aspects. As a matter of fact, learners ought to be motivated and encouraged so as to develop morale in the curriculum. More so, an effective teacher should be able to impart subject contents well so that, the learners may be in a position to understand the concepts intended well. In this respect, therefore, teachers ought to prepare for any lesson they have to teach so that, they can deliver the best content to the learners (Highet, 1979).

Certainly, an effective teacher should be able to use pertinent graphics and teaching aids in their teaching process. By so doing, the teacher would be enhancing the understanding of the subject matter more deeply; thus making it retain for long in learners’ minds. It should also be noted that an effective teacher should accept advice from other people which enables him/her to improve in one aspect or another. It is of crucial significance to note that, teachers should uphold a favorable learning environment for his/her learners. By so doing the teacher would be enhancing better and efficient learning among the learners (Highet, 1979).

Further, an effective teacher should be ‘learner centered’ in which all the activities involved in the teaching session should be meant to benefit the learner. In this respect, therefore, the teacher should be able to communicate effectively with his/her learners so as to ensure coherence and harmony throughout his/her teaching session. More specifically, the teacher should develop positive relationships with his/her learners; which would motivate and encourage his/her learners to enhance more learning (Highet, 1979).

It is important to note that, an effect should be able to treat his/her learners equally regarding them with a sense of respect. By treating all the learners equally, the teacher would be encouraging the instilling of social norms among his/her learners which would further enhance better classroom learning. Employing practical information among the learners would be necessary for an effective teacher. It is thus important that a classroom teacher should employ practical knowledge among his/her learners which would further prepare them for their future careers. Generalized, a classroom teacher should be well organized and capable of maintaining and instilling discipline among his/her learners (Dube & Sibusiso, 1997).

As it has been revealed, classroom teachers should acquire various useful characteristics which would enhance efficiency in their teaching. By acquiring these characteristics, a teacher ensures his efficiency and effectiveness in producing positively oriented graduates into the society to engage in various production activities. It thus leaves no doubt that; teachers ought to incorporate their humanitarianism with professionalism, so as to be effective in their teachings; which would further enhance better learning among the learners.

Dube, M. & Sibusiso M. (1997). Characteristics of an Effective Teacher. In Adult Education and Development Vol. 48(2) pg 13-29.

Highet, G. (1979). The Art of Teaching . London: Methuen & Co. Ltd.

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IvyPanda. (2021, December 31). Characteristics of an Effective Teacher. https://ivypanda.com/essays/characteristics-of-an-effective-teacher/

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Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Characteristics of an Effective Teacher." December 31, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/characteristics-of-an-effective-teacher/.

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20 Qualities of a Good Teacher

What are the qualities of a good teacher?

Is there some kind of list or formula a good teacher can follow to ensure they are doing their job well? Not really. But some good qualities seem universal amongst effective teachers, and I will break those down for you.

Now, I am just some dude on the internet, but I’ve taught every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 8 in both rich and poor schools, internationally and at home in Canada.  I’ve noticed a few qualities that great teacher share and these include teaching skills, teaching methods, strong communication skills, student questions, and a positive learning environment. Focusing on these will hopefully make your experience a little easier and ensure that you will be referred to as a “good teacher.”

Here are some indisputable qualities of a good teacher. These aren’t things you will hear in degree programs, or professional development courses. But if you have most of these, you could enjoy a long and happy career educating students which is one of the most aggravating, fun, and important jobs.

Quality 1: You’re There for the Right Reasons 

If you went into teaching thinking, “Ah, well, the salary is OK, and you get the summers off,” there’s no way you will be all that good at it or want to stay longer than a year or two. Unlike other jobs, you can’t mail it in one day and catch up later.  You have to be ‘on’ every day or classroom behavior will decline fast.

Does that mean you can’t ever be hungover? Pretty much. You have to really, honestly want to be there to engage kids and increase student achievement- end of story.

Quality 2: You Don’t Get Grossed Out

Many say they can’t go into nursing or become a paramedic because they can’t stand the sight of blood.  This is true for teaching, too – kids get nosebleeds regularly, snot is everywhere, and poop too.

I have had to deal with a young child eating dog poop off the playground, and yesterday I had to talk to a boy about reaching into his pants, tearing out his pubic hair, and sprinkling it on the classroom floor.  So a good teacher wouldn’t get freaked out by these disgusting scenarios.

Quality 3: You Have Perspective

A good teacher has taught in different places or to vastly different groups of kids. You know that if you can joke around and win over kids who don’t speak the same language as you, you can make it anywhere.

You have a perspective on kids and families who may be different from you, and your appreciation for diversity is evident in your teaching strategies and classroom.

You consider your own biases and how they might be affecting your kids. Bias, prejudice, and discrimination don’t have to be racial or gender-based. The best teachers try to question their own assumptions from time to time.

If you worry about your preferences, the good news is that it is a sign that you are on your way to overcoming them.  I am sorry to tell you if you consider yourself bias-free, but you probably aren’t.

Quality 4 You complain Strategically 

A good teacher avoids engaging with teachers who are always complaining as much as possible. I’m not saying a good teacher doesn’t complain because if you don’t get it out with other adults who understand, you’ll bring your anger into the classroom. So you save the complaining for your one work BFF you know you can trust.

Quality 5:  You Rarely Rage in Class

Kids can be more annoying than you ever thought possible. But before you go nuclear on that little imbecile who has done an even stupider thing than he did yesterday, you consider why they are doing that silly/annoying/infuriating thing and how losing your mind will only worsen the situation.

So you try to figure out what’s happening with the kid instead. But you have a healthy outlet for the inevitable anger you will feel, like kickboxing or breaking porcelain figurines.

Quality 6: You Connect, then Correct

This is a pretty common saying in teaching, but it’s true.  It is way easier to ignore ‘the teacher’ than to ignore a real person who has spent time getting to know you and trying to help you. You know that if you want the kids to respect you, you must put in the time to establish a relationship.

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Quality 7: You Stay Up to Date on Tech but Know Most PD is Junk

The best thing from the COVID-19 lockdowns was old-school teachers finally learning to use technology.  Most professionals (doctors, lawyers, etc.) must take mandatory courses yearly to update their skills, so why shouldn’t we?

Well, one reason may be that ‘Professional Development’ meetings often consist of trendy, unusable gobbledygook cooked up by someone who hasn’t worked in a school and has little to no skin in the game.

If an idea doesn’t seem right, you have a healthy skepticism but are still open to learning new ways of preparing materials and teaching methods, to teach.

Quality 8: You Don’t Care About Being Liked

This new trend is where parents seem to care if their kid ‘likes’ the teacher.  Here is an excellent formula for being liked: Give everyone good grades and don’t make them do anything. See?  Everyone wants you, and the parents are happy!

But that doesn’t mean the kids are learning anything or improving. Don’t go out of your way to be a jerk, but you need to put the long-term needs of the kids first, and if that means that the students or their parents don’t always agree with you, that’s okay!

Quality 9: You’re Not a Sage, and there is no stage

Students have opinions. Regardless of their age, it’s not your job to bully students into agreeing with you.

As long as they can use some evidence to back them up, the students feel free to share their viewpoints without worrying that you will shoot them down, no matter how stupid they are.

Quality 10: You’re Not Their Friend

You don’t mistake your students’ respect, or even their appreciation of your witty banter, to mean that you are always friends.  You keep the lines drawn, especially on social media. You only interact at school and through school email; that’s it.

Quality 11: You Give the Kids the Benefit of the Doubt

You know that every student wants to do well, and they want their teacher to love them regardless of what their actions seem to say. So you take it easy on them when they make a mistake.

You also give students the benefit of the doubt when you gather intel on them – you know that last year’s teacher isn’t you, so just because they don’t have great things to say doesn’t mean you will have the very same classroom experience. You also know that kids often change drastically over the summer too.

Quality 12: You Can Take An Insult 

Kids say mean, inconsiderate, and cruel things, and sometimes they don’t even realize how hurtful these comments are. You know kids are kids, and you don’t fly off the handle when they tell you your breath smells like a poop sandwich.

Quality 13: You Have Systems & You’re Consistent

The younger the students, the more fantastic the teachers are at this. Everything’s well thought out, and nothing can be left to chance.

From entering the building in the morning and celebrating birthdays to engaging students making fair teams in P.E. without hurting anyone’s feelings – a teacher with a pre-planned approach leads to a relaxed, consistent vibe in the classroom and learning environment that benefits everyone.

Letting students have choices is a trendy but helpful option, and it helps ensure enthusiasm for projects and such, but you have a brief but unshakeable list of non-negotiables that are etched in stone. These might include a seating plan that you make; phones are away when you’re teaching, and mutual respect.

It doesn’t matter what your classroom rules are as long as the students know they are ironclad. Otherwise, they’ll push back on all your decisions year-round.

Quality 14: You have routines 

The most amazing primary classrooms often have whole periods of the day where the teacher does not address the class as a whole and instead works with small groups and individuals while the rest of the kids automatically complete tasks and work on activities.

Ask the teacher how they accomplish this; the answer typically involves going all-out on routines for the first couple of months of the year. You know that once you have established your practices over the first little while, you can go wild with special spirit days, field trips, and all the other fun stuff. Your kids know when to snap back into normal mode, no problem.

Quality 15: You’re Curious, Not Furious

Let’s say a student is being a massive jerk out of the blue. You know it’s probably not about you. Once, I had an ordinarily easygoing student snap, kick over his desk, and storm out of the class after I asked him to take out his notebook. It turned out he had just found out his parents were splitting up. You know that situations like this are often the case.

Student temperament can be affected by a ton of stuff: What’s going on at home, what/if they have eaten, sleep patterns, and anxiety about holidays or summer vacation.  You know it’s better to discover what’s up before becoming a disciplinarian.

Quality 16: You Ask for Advice  on Teaching Skills

When you are faced with a weird situation you haven’t dealt with before, you know there is a good chance that another teacher in your building has seen it before. You’re not afraid to reach out for advice.

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Quality 17: Effective Teachers Meet Them Where They’re At

You know there are plenty of things you can’t do because it doesn’t come naturally to you. You keep this in mind when working with students who are struggling. You chose to be a teacher because school was (probably) easy for you, and you (probably) liked it.  But you know that not everyone is like that.  School is challenging for many kids trapped there for 8 hours a day. Similarly, your interests aren’t universally appealing to all of humanity. Perhaps you are the world’s biggest basketball fan. You will likely be drawn to students who also love basketball. That doesn’t mean the kid who’s into anime gets less of your attention.

Quality 18: You’re Real

You never want to be that teacher who talks about themselves all day, but you’re not scared to occasionally drop some truth about yourself on the kids. It makes you a natural person and reminds you that you were a dumbass when you were younger.

Stories when you screwed up are precious, and you share them after disciplining a student sometimes to humanize yourself and encourage students.

Quality 19:  High Standards for Student Achievement

You are friendly and care about the kids, but your primary purpose as a teacher is to make them the best they can be. That means that you hold them to a high standard academically and in terms of their behavior, attitude, and character.

It is a ton of work, but you know that seeing their progress is a total and utter joy – one of the best feelings there is, period.

Quality 20:  No Burnout

The kids are with you for 6 hours every day. You know they pay more attention to what you say and do than you realize. So you act kindly, are thoughtful, and use precise body language throughout. You see the irony of the teacher who screams, “FOR THE LAST TIME, I HAVE TOLD YOU TO BE QUIET!”

So, there are 20 years of teaching experience boiled down to the top 20 qualities of a good teacher. Talk to some more teachers, if not all students, and they will all have their particular ideas of what makes a good and effective teacher too, and it will probably be some version of what you just read.