Theodora Papadopoulou, PhD
What makes a good teacher?
I am sure that many teachers have spent a lot of time thinking about all the traits that make a teacher an effective one.
Of course, we could mention all the typical characteristics such as being knowledgeable, punctual, enthusiastic, and organized. The truth is that although these characteristics do constitute a good teacher , there are more things that turn a teacher into a mentor and a role model that can influence and shape his/her students’ attitude towards learning.
All people are born with the ability to learn. They are ‘programmed’ to learn.
The teacher is the one who can make the learning process an unforgettable experience. This can be achieved not only by providing students with hours of lecturing but also by making them interested enough to involve themselves actively in the learning process.
The effective teacher should be able to stimulate students’ brain, to generate questions and turn even a boring subject into a masterpiece that attracts everyone’s attention.
The first thing that a teacher should do is gain his/her students’ trust. He needs to create a secure and friendly environment that welcomes all students, not only the gifted ones. The teacher should be the coach, the friend who is there to help them and provide them with the power of knowledge that helps every individual become successful in his /her life. Under not circumstances should the teacher be an aloof authority figure that only lectures and marks his/her students’ progress. In other words, the teacher should be accessible and willing to spend time knowing his students.
According to Jones (1995), academic achievement and student behaviour are highly influenced by the quality of the teacher and student relationship.
Supportive and caring teachers motivate their students more than traditional ones. In these cases, students feel the need to do their best in order not to let down the teacher who believes in them.
Another important characteristic is politeness. All students should be treated with respect and not be embarrassed in front of their classmates. A teacher should be discreet and accept individual differences. Threats and loud voices do not have a place in a classroom. Screams and tension do not solve any problems. On the contrary, they lead to worse discipline problems.
A teacher should also believe that learning is part of life. A person who has lost interest in learning is certainly a bad role model for his/her students. It is well known that students absorb the apathy when they sense it. It is not strange to see students develop into indifferent people who just happen to be in a classroom if the teacher has stopped being enthusiastic and thrilled with the subjects he/she teaches. The teacher should provide students with new challenges and surprise them with new ideas.
The lesson must not be predictable. Even small changes make the difference.
An effective teacher should set high goals for his/her students. He/She should inspire students to go beyond their comfort levels in learning. He/She should encourage his/her students to gather information, assess and evaluate, assimilate and synthesise.
Another important trait is the ability to use humour in the classroom. Humour is an excellent deterrent and when used appropriately it can solve many discipline problems .Of course, there is a big difference between humour and ridicule. In other words, an effective teacher should have a good sense of humour.
Being a teacher is a very challenging profession. Teachers not only educate young learners but they also set the principles for their future education. A good teacher determines the future attitude of an individual towards learning. This is why the role of the teacher is so important. A teacher should always set a positive learning environment and advocate goal-directed behaviour by encouraging students to set goals for themselves. He/She should also be willing to listen and understand his/her students’ problems, fears or concerns. Students need to feel valued and respected. The teacher is the one who can make it happen.
Last but not least, a teacher should generate a group learning environment by creating a sense of community .A classroom should be the place where everyone is there to accomplish the same goals and learn from one another. In this way children become less competitive and more cooperative.
The role of the teacher can not be underestimated. It is the teacher’s excitement and guidance that make students willing to set goals and keep trying until they reach them. As I mentioned before, all people are born with the ability to learn. Our world needs educated people who can open new doors to art and science. No door though can open without a key. A teacher is the key that can open new doors to people who have the desire to learn.