What Makes a Good Teacher?

There are many things that make a teacher great and they all can’t be defined. However, I have always considered several of the essential. In my opinion, a good teacher is someone who first of all creates interest in studying, doesn’t underestimate the children, has equal expectations of success from everyone and last but not least, likes his job. A good teacher always has a sense of purpose. He chooses very carefully the teaching programme and adjusts it to the needs of his students. Children always come first and that is why the decision he makes are based on how they will affect them. He shares experience with other teachers and is always learning new things. It is very important for a teacher to be a good communicator. He doesn’t just stand in front of the class and lecture, but tries to establish a dialogue and to find the best group activities in which every child would be involved. Discussions, peer-to-peer coaching, among others are the things which make the process of teaching more interesting and challenging so that all students attend classes and participate actively. The good teacher works with all students. A friend of mine told me how her math teacher tolerates only students who are good at mathematics or those who have special interest in the subject. Towards the rest of the class my friend says it is, “OYO” (on your own). She gives homework and tests without bothering to ask about the pupils’ difficulties. She doesn’t try to explain it and as a result many students keep getting poor marks. I firmly believe teachers shouldn’t forget that all students no matter their colour, race or gender have equal ability to study. Different students have different learning systems. Some can learn things easily while others need to spend more time over a given task. That is why it is advisable for a teacher to know his students individually so that he can remember what kind of problems they have and find the right way to help them. There is no doubt that teachers have immense influence on their finding the best approach of teaching and making classes more amusing and interesting.