In primary school (Elementary School) I felt like the teachers really did care about my well-being both academically and personally. They took the time to ensure that I understood what I was learning and when I came in sad and could not concentrate, they were there to encourage. The same cannot be said about my experiences in High School. Maybe because most of the teachers was not that much older, some still in their teens. Nonetheless you can still be an effective teacher no matter your age if you really LOVE what you do!
I was sent to school to get an Education, to learn, to make sometime out of my life. It was the teachers job to teach me the lessons...First year in High School was not so bad, even though I had not placed into the first twenty students out of forty at school. However, I had one particular teacher from form 1 who took no nonsense from the kids. If something was taught It was expected that you understood it right away.
The only time they showed concerned was when something you did offended or embarrassed them. In form 2, same teacher made sure you knew who the boss was. For some reason there was always a target on my back. There's something about being poor that singles you out somehow. It was almost an insult to be poor.
I've always wondered how far beyond my limits could I have been pushed? How much more expectations could I have surpassed, If my teachers were really teachers, if they they loved what they did, if they could have spotted the troubles within, if they weren't so biased?!
I went looking at and found the following on the World Wide Web. After reading it, it fitted everything I was looking for in My Teachers and any Teacher for that matter.
You have the ability to bond with your students, to understand and resonate with their feelings and emotions. To communicate on their level. To be compassionate with them when they are down and to celebrate with them when they are up.
Positive Mental Attitude
You are able to think more on the positive and a little less on the negative. To keep a smile on your face when things get tough. To see the bright side of things. To seek to find the positives in every negative situation. To be philosophical.
Open to Change
You are able to acknowledge that the only real constant in life is change. You know there is a place for tradition but there is also a place for new ways, new ideas, new systems, and new approaches. You don't put obstacles in your way by being blinkered and are always open and willing to listen to others' ideas.
Role Model
You are the window through which many young people will see their future. Be a fine role model.
Creative
You are able to motivate your students by using creative and inspirational methods of teaching. You are different in your approach and that makes you stand out from the crowd. Hence the reason why students enjoy your classes and seek you out for new ideas.
Sense of Humour
You know that a great sense of humour reduces barriers and lightens the atmosphere especially during heavy periods. An ability to make your students laugh will carry you far and gain you more respect. It also increases your popularity.
Presentation Skills
You know that your students are visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. You are adept at creating presentation styles for all three. Your body language is your main communicator and you keep it positive at all times. Like a great orator you are passionate when you speak. But at the same time you know that discussion and not lecturing stimulates greater feedback.
Calmness
You know that the aggression, negative attitudes and behaviours that you see in some of your students have a root cause. You know that they are really scared young people who have come through some bad experiences in life. This keeps you calm and in control of you, of them and the situation. You are good at helping your students de-stress.
Respectful
You know that no one is more important in the world than anyone else. You know that everyone has a place in the world. You respect your peers and your students. Having that respect for others gets you the respect back from others.
Inspirational
You know that you can change a young person's life by helping them to realise their potential, helping them to grow, helping them to find their talents, skills and abilities.
Passion
You are passionate about what you do. Teaching young people is your true vocation in life. Your purpose in life is to make a difference.
Willing to Learn
You are willing to learn from other teachers AND your students. Although knowledgeable in your subject you know that you never stop learning.
For me being a good teacher all boils down to how much that teacher loves what they do and the distance they are willing to go to make a Student become the best they can without making them feel like a failure.