#37 - The Ideal Teacher

It’s likely that any good learning experience you had was centered around a good teacher. It may have been a well designed course or it may have been something you were really interested in. But at the base of it, chances are there was a really good teacher.

So, what makes a good teacher? Let’s take a look.

First of all, a good teacher is somebody you wouldn’t mind knowing or calling your friend. They are pleasant to be around and they are just interesting in some way or another. There’s a certain quality to it - it’s not quantitative it’s qualitative.

The Ideal Teacher

There are a variety of ways to do an evaluation of teaching. You could come up with dozens of attributes that fit as a positive description of a good teacher and they all apply in one way or another.

When talking about good teachers, the most common traits mentioned are:

• Strong Communicator

• Good Listener

• Engaging

• Provide Real-World Experience

• Patient

• Adaptable

• Empathetic

• Focus on Collaboration

These are general attributes that might apply in an overall way. When you think about the actual activity of teaching, you might see a different set of qualities that might be useful:

General Qualifications

First of all, you would expect a teacher to be experienced and/or accredited regarding the subject at hand. In many cases, the law now requires a teacher to show education or experience in the field in which they teach. If the course was how to 'drive a tractor', then you would expect the teacher to have real experience driving a tractor or educational background in tractor driving. Same for math (or any other subject). You would expect the teacher to have familiarity with mathematics and an education including mathematics. So the summary is just this; teachers need to be experienced and/or educated in the subjects they teach.

On a more basic level: a teacher should be accredited to teach and meet all state and local requirements.

Teacher Preparedness

A good teacher would know what the plan is for the year, month, week and day. They would know, in detail, what was coming for the immediate future and would be prepared for class with all of the teaching materials necessary to effectively deliver the lesson to the the class. They know and put forward “best practices' whenever possible.

Personal Traits

Good teachers are confident leaders who are focused and organized.

Good teachers also have a professional air about them including such things as proper dress codes and good personal grooming practices.

Classroom Activity

You can tell a good teacher. Their classroom is under control, their presentations are interesting and engaging and they have really good teaching methods and follow up to make sure that the lesson was well assimilated. There is always a clear encouragement to collaborate on class work and the presence of real-world examples.

A good teacher is responsive and gives students the right feedback in terms of immediate classroom activities and grades on homework and tests.

On a longer term basis, they ensure that every student makes forward progress. A good teacher can drive students to be productive. A good teacher is skilled at directing activities, is patient, and an expert at implementing stress management and conflict resolution.

Working with Others

Good teachers work well with parents keeping them regularly informed about each student's progress. Good teachers also work well with colleagues, staff and others outside the classroom.

Adherence and Compliance

Good teachers follow appropriate laws and regulations. They embrace classic and traditional methods and materials and reject trendy or “popular”materials and movements that are not part of a standard, approved curriculum.

Good teachers continue to learn about their trade and their subjects and are always increasing their skills. They provide increasing value to education and the community.

Good teachers teach students HOW to think, they don't tell students WHAT to think.

Good teachers don't discriminate and ensure that all students get equal access to a good education which would include such things as textbooks, materials and facilities.

See our survey form here on Ideal Teacher Survey.

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