One of my biggest goals is to become a teacher. In fact, it’s part of my personal mission statement: “My mission is to experience life through…teaching others.” I don’t want to be a run-of-the-mill boring teacher, though. Not like the “substitute teachers” of my school days. But what makes a good teacher?
We all know good teachers when we see them, and bad teachers too. I thought back over the teachers I’d loved and why I loved them. There were only a few, but they all had the following qualities in common.
1. Confidence. Belief in ourselves despite setbacks. Teachers encounter situations all the time that could be considered setbacks. Kids can be cruel, to each other and to teachers. They can have attitudes, especially teenagers. I’ve had teachers to were obviously nervous when they taught. Others were shy and only half committed to their subject. But the best teachers laughed off their mistakes: chalk breaking, books dropped, TVs not working. Where some teachers were flustered, the good teachers shrugged and went on about the lesson, sometimes even joking about the mess up. These teachers knew they were human and knew mistakes happen. They didn’t take things personally and let problems get them upset.
2. Patience. Some of my best teachers could have helped students through a mental breakdown. Not that they had to, but that they were so patient, they could have gone the distance. Many a time I, or classmate, would just not be “getting” a particular concept. My best teachers were those who were willing to keep explaining, knowing that eventually it would make sense. They were willing to wait until a distraction calmed students down, or abandon a lesson entirely if it was clear material needed to be revisited. The best teachers just stuck with it, willing to do what it took, no matter how long it took.
3. True compassion for their students. I’m sure we’ve all encountered a bad teacher who didn’t care what our excuse was. Certainly, some excuses weren’t valid, but many were. The best teachers cared about their students as individuals and wanted to help them. They had a sixth sense when a student needed extra attention and gave it gladly. They didn’t expect students to leave thoughts of the outside world at the door to the classroom. They took the time to discuss subjects outside their teaching, knowing that sometimes lessons can still be taught without following the textbook. Good teachers were willing to speak up for us to other teachers, if need be. They cared about us beyond the walls of their classroom.
4. Understanding. Good teachers had understanding – not only the sixth sense mentioned above, but true understanding of how to teach. They didn’t have a rigid technique that they insisted on using even if it didn’t help us learn. They were flexible in their teaching style, adapting daily if need be. They understood the little things that affected our ability to learn; the weather, the temperature in the classroom, the time of day. They had an understanding of human nature and the maturity (or lack thereof) of teenagers. Good teachers knew that we hated to be called “young” and therefore pre-judged. They treated us as real people, not just “students.”
5. The ability to look at life in a different way and to explain a topic in a different way. There are many different learning styles. Not everyone gets a subject as taught by every teacher. I’ve taken subjects (chemistry for instance) many times, at many different levels, by many different teachers. I took College Organic Chemistry three times from three different teachers. I can tell you from experience that it was more the skill of the third teacher than the third time taking the class that allowed me to pass. Bad teachers only look a subject matter one way. They teach based on how they learn. This works for some people, but fails for others. The good teachers are ones that are able to teach to different learning styles. If students don’t understand a subject, they teach it a different way. Instead of looking at abstract formulas, they explain with images what the formulas represent. This requires a through understand of their subject, as well as the ability to consider that subject in different ways, which not all teachers are able to do. This principle applies whether a teacher or professor teaches Organic Chemistry or business classes online; it comes down to their ability to be flexible.
6. Dedication to excellence. Good teachers want the best from their students and themselves. They don’t settle for poor grades, knowing it reflects upon their ability to teach just as much upon a student’s ability to excel. The best teachers encourage the sharing of ideas and offer incentives (like not having to do homework for a day) to get students to think outside the box. They don’t tolerate students’ badmouthing other teachers, doing their best to point out that other teachers are human too. They encourage students to be good people, not just good memorizers of text. They want students to learn and be able to apply what they learned, not just be able to pass tests.
7. Unwavering support. The best teachers know that everyone is able to do well if they have the right teacher. They don’t accept that a student is a lost cause. They encourage if you are frustrated and provide true belief that you can get the material. They stand up for individuals against other students, not allowing for in class taunting. Sometimes, they even extend this outside the classroom, although taunts in the hallways are very hard for teachers to combat. The best teachers are there if you need extra help and even encourage it.
8. Willingness to help student achieve. The best teachers are those that don’t stop teaching when the bell rings. They hold extra sessions for SAT prep, they reach out to students after class. They know that some need extra attention or assistance, and they don’t act like it’s not their job. They take that job seriously and know they aren’t just employed to get students to be able to do higher math, but do well in life. They realize that achievement isn’t just a good grade on a test, but a feeling of accomplishment with mastering a subject; they are willing to work with a student for that feeling.
9. Pride in student’s accomplishments. The best teachers let you know they are glad you got a good grade or made the honor’s society. They smile and tell you that you did a good job. They tell other teachers about how you did as well. Outside you may feel embarrassed, but inside you are glowing. The best teachers don’t single out the best students either. They celebrate the accomplishments of everyone, knowing that everyone is capable to doing well. They are upbeat and positive, focusing on how a student did well, not how well they taught. They may know that it was the strength of their teaching that helped a student to achieve, but they act as if the student is completely responsible.
10. Passion for life. The best teachers aren’t just interested in their subject, they are passionate about it. They are also passionate about many other things. They praise good weather and smile when they take a few minutes to discuss last night’s episode of a popular TV show. They have an energy that almost makes them glow and that you want to emulate as much as possible. They approach tasks with a sense of challenge rather than routine. They take the universe’s curve balls and turn them into fun (if possible). They are human, certainly, but they make you feel that there is always a reason to keep going. Things will get better no matter how much they appear to suck at that moment.
As may be clear from the above, the best teacher I ever had was a math teacher. She was all the more exceptional because math is the one subject I hate the most. She told us to call her “Aunt Jackie,” but I had way too much respect to call her anything but “Mrs. Lamp.” She is now a principal of a different High School than she taught at when I was her student, and I suspect she is as good a principal as she was a math teacher.
T|he materials are very interesting. I would not mind having their entire book.
Many thanks
Sambo
I’m not sure I follow? I’m glad you liked this article on my blog. I plan to have many posts for teachers on this blog, but I don’t have a book.
It helped me with my research paper on education and teaching thank you
It helped for my interview and test ,this is a very good concept about the teacher
This is a very good concept about the teacher,i love 2 be a teacher
Thankyou very much
I too aspire to be a teacher, i am only 15 but i am certain that my goal in life is to teach.
I would love to teach primary school as younger children inspire me.
This was very interesting and gave me a great insight into the qualities i would need to put into practice to become a good teacher.
your only 15 you dont know what you want in life
Caitlin, perhaps Bethan doesn’t know what she wants in life. However, I wrote this article originally at age 32. I was in 6th grade when I first wanted to be a teacher – age 12. I haven’t changed my mind since. So, it’s quite possible that she will change her mind. It’s also quite possible that she won’t. To anyone reading this, I hope that you stick with what you realize at a young age. I’m not a teacher, even though I’ve wanted to be. I ignored that desire for a long time because I thought it wasn’t “real”. Well, it was.
Cathy, you are exactly right! We are all so very different people. Some of us know what we want to be when we are young and some of us don’t. We also, change our minds and have the right to do so. I knew I wanted to be a teacher at the age of 15 myself. However, reaching that goals has been a long mission for me. At the age of 35 I am just now finishing up my schooling to do so. My passion for teaching never changed. As part of wanted to be and becoming a teacher we have to also learn how to put aside others criticism because it is unconstructive to focus on the negative. I sure how that Bethan can disregard what Caitlin said and go for her dream. Bethan has a lot to learn about not only people but herself as well. Life is about being the best person you can be.
I find it very interesting, Caitlin, that in telling Bethan that she doesn’t know what she wants you completely ignored the entire concept of this article. It’s not up to you to decide things for other people. I’ve had my career field picked out since age eight. I have not changed my mind. I hate when people judge anyone younger than them to be immature or unintelligent. Way to generalize the entire youth population. You may also want to consider learning to spell and punctuate.
Hello
This essay is so nice and useful. U have brought a broad concept of a good teacher. In fact these days are not so productive good teachers like earlier.
A good teacher is not found on the training field but on the chalkboard…
I wish to be a good teacher someday.. and this will really be a great help to reach my goals..
So much help in such a small volume. Keep it up.
its a lot helpful in completing my essay on good qualities of a teacherand i do agree with your points
Hi Cathy,
I was looking for something to help my wife with her work when I came across your article. Its Great!!
the article serves as timely reminder for me.kindly update me always on issues pertaining to teacher through my email address above because i love to be current in my profession.thanks a lot.
Thankyou very much
I too aspire to be a teacher, i am only 15 but i am certain that my goal in life is to teach.
I would love to teach primary school as younger children inspire me.
This was very interesting and gave me a great insight into the qualities i would need to put into practice to become a good teacher.
i want to become a teacher. it is true to havethis
Every good teachers can be a good students but not every good students can be a good teachers.
I substitute teach and have done so since the seventies. I want to let the students know I’m there to truly help as well as keep as much order as possible. I like putting a “riddle” on the board to make them think. If at the end of class they have not solved it I then give them the answer. It’s always fun no matter how old the group fo children are. I truly enjoy being with these young people.I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in Kent County. I read and look for ways to engage the students, no matter the age to make the day productive and fun, if possible.
Subs are an important resource.
How lovely is to read these top 10 qualities of a good teacher! This is one of my favourite, I would love to become a teacher as well and apply all these qualities in my whole life:-))! thanks Cathy for providing this.” He who begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
i am very happy that i found this awesome website i want to become a teacher and want to know about a good teachers qualities.i am going to get interview tomorrow.thank you.
I am a Pakistani teacher trainer . My first topic of teacher training is always,” the qualities of a good teacher”. This rich essay has helped me to make my session very rich and innovative. Thank for a good contribution.
thanx 4 the information
Yeah i appreciate that, the humble honest good teacher has to posses those 10 quality.
hji cathy ,,thanks for having this article about good teachers it cud really help me be one of them.huh…though I know one shoud have thousands of bags of patience for kids u know cud be so restless but at least this cud help guide us through in our work as teachers.. thanks again and be blessed always..
Hmm i Love reading at ur page….i’m taking up Bachelor of secondary education and i learned to love this course…..tnanks for making this website for us dreaming to be a good teacher……….(^_^)…
teaching-the greatest profession
A nice list if not a bit unrealistic. I do teach, and I’ll tell you, every teacher WANTS to be all these things but the problems and obstacles and energy required to do all that is pretty monumental.
I’d say a good teacher is someone who listens, grades fairly, expresses enthusiasm for the subject, cares for the students but doesn’t let them manipulate him/her and helps students connect ideas and concepts together.
My two cents.
I think that every good teacher is all of these things, despite problems and obstacles. Now, I don’t believe everyone is able to be at 100% capability 100% of the time. That is unrealistic. When I created this list, I was thinking of teachers that I had through several semesters, or even for more than one school year. When one teacher is evaluated on data from this long a period of time, it is easier to see that they do have these qualities, or similar ones that make them good teachers. And, personality traits aren’t that easy to check off on a list anyway. This was just a way to describe some basic qualities I think good teachers have in common – even if they aren’t able to display all these qualities all of the time, or even find it easy any of the time.
A good effort to list the qualities of a good teacher.
its great to see such tips. Excellent work. Keep it up.
thanks for this. now i have an idea how to be a good teacher.
Nice tips. Every teacher should look at the list:)
I love these attributes. The author has indeed tried.
what is the authors name who wrote this, it was great
This was written by the author of the blog, her name is Cathy.
Thanks a lot for the info.. really goes a long way in building me up.
really it helped me in my university presentation!! thank you so much!!!
Thanks dude this really help me with my H/W
Although, l’m want to be a teacher and a good one, it will help me to pass interview.
Really it helped me a lot.
till now i worked as a as a teacher, but now i know the responsibilities of a good teacher and i will live as a teacher, thanks for the article
thanks ms. Cathy this article helps me in my thesis work
GOD bless
a good teacher must be responsible to his/her students……………and must be fair to all of his/her students…….(^_^)
I came across your site after having a late-night epiphany – as a parent I am also a teacher. And as a parent I too must embrace these qualities. The distance between a parent and child can sometimes be too little which can make it difficult to step back and evaluate the situation using perspective and patience. If I can remember that as a parent I am also a teacher I’ll be more able to keep my perspective and not get bogged down in the daily difficulties which come along with being a parent. Thank you.
To be a good teacher one has to be a good human being first.
You have to understand that the sole aim of a teacher is just not to provide the skills but also how and when to apply those.
For a good teacher hard work is not an option,it is a necessity.
For Good Teacher the meaning of success is “How tp become the best person” for self and others.
am pursuing a bachelors in education and these words are so inspirational i like them and i like my carrier thanx alot.
i’m Sagir spawa from Zamfara state, one of my biggest goal is to be a Teacher infact my personal mission statement,my mission is to experience life rhrough teaching
Hello.
Thank you very much. I have been a University Lecturer for 10 years. In mentoring new University teaching staff, I have found your comments very useful. I encourage you to continue writing.
Once again , thank you for doing good work
My contribution: A good teacher is not necessarily the one who teaches well but the one who teaches well and inspires.
the above top 10 qualities of a good teacher is so so amazing and writer is graceful person. the main thing that i understand, is morality of a teacher , that after class he should help the students in good manner. now a days i am also a teacher i am no 100% perfect but now i am going to make me perfect and creating such good qualities in myself. teaching profession is so praise full in every step of life.Its also duty of good students to obey their teacher like parents.
thanx alot, it is realy helpful.It will help me to complite my assignment of education course.
The top 10 qualities of a good teacher have helped me complete my course work. Am going to use them when i start working seriously.
My Best teacher is Ms.Ann Love.She is nice to every body.
Importanat points.
Tks a lot…………
Thank you couple times for this interesting article. Really, your article helped me to do my assignment about the qualities of a good teachers. In addition to this i hope it will also help me to pass the interview which i am going to be interviewed after ayear to be hired in University. Thank U a million times.
I wish to thank and appreciate the writer for making such thing available onlie.my intention is to become a teacher and i lack some of the qualities of a teacher, so i am glad for meeting such an impressing and well outlined top 10 qualities of a good teacher. i believe that, with these I can do better when ever i am in the field.