I was pondering this question some days ago.
As a passionate teacher myself, I always strive to be the best teacher I can possibly be. Finding the best ways to transfer the information to each student. They don’t all learn in the same way and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses.
You might remember your favourite teacher(s). Why did you like him/her so much? Was it the personality? The passion they had for their subject? Did you get better grades with the teacher you most liked? And was that because of them, or just because you understood the content well? Did they help you understand things better just because you liked them so much…?
When we like someone, we energetically open ourselves up more to connect and exchange information. I believe it helps the students learning process a lot, but there are more things involved that make up a good teacher (in my opinion):
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Is the teacher able to transfer the information in a way that you understand it? This could be through talks, texts, audio, visuals, social or more hands-on learning. There are different techniques for transferring information.
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Does the teacher have the will and desire to empower you and make you succeed?
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Does the teacher have patience and understanding that not everyone is a quick learner, and some are even lazy too, or incredibly forgetful? And they don’t judge them for that?
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Is the teacher knowledgeable in the subject they are teaching?
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In groups, does the teacher find the right balance in giving everyone the attention and guidance they need?
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Is the teacher open to questions and feedback, and do they listen to what the students need to succeed?
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Does the teacher push sometimes, and is strict with correcting mistakes, because that is how we learn?
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Does the teacher not do that too much, and gives praise and encouraging words too, to get the students motivated?
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Does the teacher do his/her best to keep the students engaged by creating dynamic, structured and interesting classes?
Most of these points go hand in hand. For example: you can be as knowledgeable as you want, but if you cannot transmit the information well, you are doomed to fail. I had a teacher like that in high school. What a genius he was, but socially he had no skills and because of that he was not able to keep the students engaged.
And how about looks? Does it matter what a teacher looks like? It helps when a person has an open, inviting, kind and trustworthy appearance. Of course we prefer to look at somebody who is decent, who dresses ok, who doesn’t have a bad breath (another teacher I used to have….didn’t help at all ….)
When I was teaching English in Vietnam, I had a huge advantage among other teachers, because I was blond and tall. I looked very American. I looked like the perfect role model they had for a teacher. A little bit sad to say it was like this, but I was happy either way to get the job and have the opportunity to prove myself as a starting teacher.
My point with this article?
A great teacher helps to create great students. What is a good teacher for 1 person isn’t necessarily good for another. When we see a knowledgeable person, who has passion for what he/she is doing, that energy is attractive, that energy is contagious and I believe that is what we look for in a teacher as students.
In the end, the teacher is there to serve as a guide. They can show you where to find the water and how to drink it, but they’re not the ones who can drink it for you! Even with the best teacher, it is YOU who will decide if you will become successful at learning or not.
Happy learnings everyone!