What Makes A Great Teacher?

MOST OF US ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE EXCEPTIONAL TEACHER

who inspired us and brought out the best in us during our school days. e reason these teachers made such an impression on us is that they had something other teachers didn’t: it might have been their passion for the subject material; it might have been their passion for watching the “light bulb” come on as students begin to grasp and comprehend the concepts they are teaching; or it may have been their passion for life and their personal interactions with others. Whatever it was, it’s certain that exceptional teachers share a number of core traits and attitudes that make them stand out head and shoulders above the rest. We’ve listed some of them below:

1They care. Great teachers are as concerned about forming relationships with their students and connecting with them on a personal level as they are in teaching the subject matter. ey care, they are warm and accessible, and they are enthusiastic not only about what they are teaching but in how the students are receiving the information.

They partner with parents. Great teachers know that parents are just as important in the learning process as they are. ey communicate frequently with parents through conferences and emails. ey don’t hesitate to pick up the telephone to call a parent if they are concerned about a student.

3 4 They are fl exible. ey are not rigid in their teaching patterns, but “zig” and “zag” in their methodology so that when one e ort doesn’t seem to be getting the point across they can shift gears and change course. An exceptional teacher assesses their teaching throughout the lessons and nds new ways to present material to make sure that every student understands the key concepts.

5They are inspirational. A great teacher not only exudes passion for teaching and learning, thereby inspiring students to love learning as much as they do, they inspire their students to be a better person. ey do this by recognizing the unique potential in each of their students and teaching to those strengths, so that students become more con dent in their abilities and come to realize that they are able, worthy, and unstoppable. w 2 They are optimists. Great teachers believe in their students and their abilities, and they don’t give up on anyone. ey have high standards, they consistently challenge students to do their best, and they are caring professionals who teach students to believe in themselves.