HOW TO BECOME A GOOD TEACHER

PABLITO P. GANTAN, JR.

To become a good teacher, it’s important to be organized. Create lesson plans, objectives, activities, and assessment plans well before each class day.

A good teacher gets his students interested in learning by fostering a positive, supportive, yet challenging classroom environment and seeks assistance from other teachers as well.

A good teacher develops a good classroom environment. He or she creates a daily objective for students. This is a way of providing a roadmap for students. It shows them that a teacher puts thought into the day’s work and knows where it is heading. It’s best if the objectives are clear, brief, and realistic.

A good teacher listens to students. He or she asks them open-ended questions after they’ve made a statement. Encourage students to ask you questions as well. A good teacher shows that he or she is listening to them by nodding the head or gesturing for them to continue. Being an active listener shows students that a teacher respects their voice in the classroom. They will be more likely to give respect for the teacher in return.

A good teacher keeps students on task. He or she sets time limits for classroom exercises or activities. In discussions, he or she uses responses to their remarks as a classroom management tool.

A good teacher pushes students to succeed. He or she tries to create an environment in which students will be constantly intellectually challenged. A good teacher lets them know that it is okay to fail on occasion. He or she strikes a balance between setting too high of goals for students and being a push-over. He or she uses students’progress to guide their way. They should be steadily improving, but not without considerable effort.

A good teacher keeps in mind and heart that teaching is one of the most important professions in today’s society. As a teacher, you will shape the minds of others and encourage them to think independently.

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The author is Teacher III at San Juan High School