Schools play an important role in building a foundation for success and maturity in the lives of students (of course a foundation different than the one parents/guardians are able to provide). It should be a place where students are able to thrive in areas that interest them most, while gaining knowledge in areas they find less interesting. If students are able to make the most out of their experiences in school, they will find that it grants them endless opportunities. A lot of times, we owe it to our teachers for pushing us to limits we never thought possible.
Not anyone can be a
teacher; it definitely takes a special type of person. Think about it…have you
ever heard of a short-tempered, passive and/or unreliable teacher? (I sure hope
not!) Besides possessing some of the most obvious qualities, teachers must be
approachable, patient, empathetic and engaging. Although these are only a few qualities (out of the many) a teacher should possess, they are essential for the success of teachers themselves, and their students.
It is important that a teacher be approachable for a variety of reasons. Students can become easily intimidated, so teachers must continuously convey the message that they want their students to succeed and stay motivated to learn. This way, students will ask questions if they are unsure, and feel safe doing so. Patience is also important when striving to become a successful teacher. It allows us, as teachers, to accept and/or tolerate trouble without getting angry or upset. Many
times a teacher’s patience is tested when it comes to the behavior of his/her
students. Other times, a teacher's patience is tested when it comes to their
students’ inability to understand the subject matter. It is only natural that
students display different levels of aptitude in certain areas. Some students
are able to grasp difficult concepts with minimal effort, while others struggle
and require extra attention. With patience, a teacher can ensure all students
will be successful and comfortable with new information.
Not only are teachers patient and approachable, they are empathetic and engaging. These two “Es” are important qualities for a teacher to possess. It is important that teachers have the ability to see situations from the perspective of their students, and be sensitive to the various struggles they may encounter. Students come from all walks of life. Some may live in households with struggling, single parents, while others have two parents contributing to finances, and are able to live comfortably. No matter what the situation, it is important that teachers be empathetic so they can continue to help their students succeed inside and outside the classroom. Our second “E” quality involves a teacher's ability to engage students. One way teachers can distract students from the struggles of life is by being engaging in the classroom. If students are engaged, they will focus on what is important in that moment, as opposed to what is irrelevant. In order to be engaging, teachers must prepare lessons that are fun and interactive. Although it is a lot of work, you must look at the bright side; if your class is engaging, students will look forward to attending!
Although
these are only four of the many, many qualities in which good teacher
possesses, I feel as though they are some of the most important. A patient,
approachable, engaging and empathetic teacher will find that their students are
able to get the most out of their experiences in the classroom, and when
students succeed, teachers feel rewarded.
