“Teachers can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges.”
The impact that teachers have on students is massive. They play an important role in shaping the future generation and placing them in the right orbit. Since students see their teachers on a daily basis, they get influenced easily and more often than not, mirror their favorite teachers. It is of paramount importance to be a good teacher. Being a good teacher is not just about their subject knowledge or teaching aptitude. It is beyond these. Of course, it is important to have a good set of teaching skills and profound knowledge of the subject. However, that is not all that you need. Teachers need a set of qualities to be exemplary.
We will be taking a look at the qualities of a good teacher in this blog. Without further ado, let’s delve deeper into the topic:
Qualities Required to Be a Teacher
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Good Communication
Good communication is at the heart of good teaching. Communication is not just limited to the way one conveys information. It is also about understanding nonverbal cues and presenting the concepts in digestible bites. There is no point in talking in Latin when your students don’t understand Latin. Stop assuming that your students might know something because it was supposed to be covered in previous grades or classes. Talking to your students and understanding their learning style and pace is pivotal to become a good teacher. You don’t exactly have to be a student whisperer. However, you should be a good listener.
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Great Learner
To become a great teacher you need to be an exemplary student. That’s right. You should always keep learning and be open to understanding new perspectives and points of view. The education landscape keeps changing and it is important to be open to learning. When you learn and read a lot, you will be able to talk to your students about more than just their subjects. You will be able to introduce them to new concepts and interesting ideas and that is the essence of education.
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Adaptability
As mentioned, the education landscape keeps changing and if the teacher is resistant to change, the students won’t benefit from the education that they are getting. For instance, with the pandemic keeping us all home, education has moved online. There are plenty of online teaching apps and virtual classrooms. Now if the teacher is not adaptable, how will they be able to reach their students? Similarly, they need to embrace the changes that are happening in the world and make the best out of the situation that they have at hand. Resourcefulness, thus, becomes another important quality that a teacher needs to have.
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Creativity
When I was in grade five, we had a teacher who used to bring empty matchboxes and bottle caps to the class and taught us what friction is and how a car moves using just these things. We were so excited and interested to attend her classes. These concepts were not exactly a part of our syllabus but it really helped us concentrate better and she was able to cultivate an interest in science. Such creative methods increase student engagement and hence, creativity is a great quality to possess.
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Empathy
When a teacher does not understand why their students are not scoring well or paying attention in the class, they won’t be able to help their students. The ability to put oneself in the other’s shoes is extremely important when it comes to being a teacher. Especially a school teacher because that’s when students are young and gullible.
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Patience
A teacher who loses their calm and yells at their students might be able to make the class quiet but won’t be able to win their love or teach well for that matter. Now, what we are saying is that you should take control of the class but must not create a hostile environment. Be patient and try to empathize with your students. Patience is a virtue.
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Confidence
It is said that teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourth theatre. The way you present your class and grab the student’s attention plays a major role in making learning effective. Being confident will help your presentation skills.
The qualities that a teacher should have are not limited to the above list. Being a teacher is complicated. At the same time, it can be liberating and joyous. If you are passionate about teaching and shaping the future generation, you are sure to ace the teacher role even if you don’t have an inborn talent to teach. There is nothing that hardwork and dedication can’t give you., If you don’t have any of the qualities listed above, don’t worry. Just work on it and try getting better at it by setting small goals. The decision to try is the most important. Hope this article helped you.
Happy Teaching!
