What do you think makes a good teacher?

[Jeffwilson99]

What do you think makes a good teacher? Now, I don't necessarily mean a school teacher, but qualities do you associate with a teacher you like, enjoy having classes with, or helps you to learn?

 

The reason I ask this is because I'm *thinking* about taking up teaching after I finish my BA in Geography, but I'm still not sure about whether I'd make a good teacher or not.

 

So think about good teachers you've had before, and what made them a good teacher.

[Bows]

I think a good teacher is someone that follows this rule:

 

"When one teaches, two learn." Meaning, the best kind of teacher is the one that learns as they teach, just as you do. A good teacher is also one that can easily connects with the students (students meaning more than just school) and gets them involved with what they are learning. That's how my junior year U.S. History teacher was.

[All_Is_Great]

Easy to talk to, fun in the class, stories of themselves. Generally I think a good teacher would also be easy going, kinda relaxed, but still cares enough.

 

Some teachers I have just teach out of the textbook/novels, then gives us work time. They don't communicate with us besides the curriculum, and i find that really dull.

 

Good luck if you actually become a teacher though, i think it's a cool job :shades:

[Pepsiguy]

the world history teacher i have is good, he gets desciptive about thing we are learning, gets students to get hands on on things, couple daysago we were talking about philosophers and logic, and how you can see the stool smell it hear it taste it (he actually licked the stool lol) and then put it outside and logically its not existing anymore. so a good teacheris one that gets descriptive and really into a subject not like *monotone voice* "ok kids turn to page 531 and read chapter 1 and 2, then give me a page report on it"

[Zierro]

Being able to deviate off the main topic a little to bring up a point about how the lesson applies to everyday life, but then being able to get back on topic again.

Being able to connect with and understand their students - such as acknowledging the fact that most of those kids are there against their will (specifically talking about high school with this one).

Being able to make and take a joke - students don't want to listen to an anti-humor grouch.

Being able to express their personal opinions without discouraging students to feel differently.

Being able to exceed the curriculum, by having thought-invoking discussion on the subject instead of just forking out assignments.

Being well-spoken.

 

So yeah, your average college professor isn't a very good teacher - they just happen know a lot about the subject. A lot of professors feel that it's the student's responsibility to keep up and learn - and not the professor's "to make friends". But the fact is, there are more efficient teaching methods than just reading an excerpt from a textbook. You are responsible for conveying that information effectively to your class. If you're getting paid for your service, you shouldn't be scraping by doing bare minimum.

 

That being said, this world needs better teachers. Good luck and I hope you will be one of them.

[Assume Nothing]

In general, I find that I learn lots more if the teacher has some sense of humour. No one likes a shouting, stressed out teacher that does nothing but get angry for no reason.

 

Being patronizing never gets you anywhere either, so treat kids as kids and adults as adults too. I remember when my physics teacher just started and he taught alot at Secondary schools, so he was really annoying.

 

Also, engage with the students, provoke discussion. You don't learn an awful lot listening to 20 minute's worth of text.

 

I guess those are slightly personal to me, but that's my 50 cents

[Nadril]

Patience.

 

 

I do think that this depends on what kind of grade you want to teach though. Like if you were teaching Elementary school things such as Patience and compassion (while always important attributes) would be much more important than simply trying to be their friend. In middle and high school I think the hardest thing to do is keep students involved in the classroom and do more than just textbook lessons. For college I would say it's more important to get to know your students.

 

 

I do think Patience is one of the most important things for a teacher to have. No one likes a teacher who is just going to get frustrated with you not being able to understand something. Some of my best teachers have been some of the most patient people I have ever seen.

[Range_This11]

You can never understand the world of teaching unless you're thrown in it and do it yourself. I've been teaching a high school drumline for 3 years now and it is the most rewarding experience I've ever had. You learn a lot about what you're teaching and yourself in the process.

 

Everyone on this thread is going to say something different when it comes to qualities they like to see in teachers, and all of those make a good teacher! Teachers should be able to adapt to whatever their students need, no matter the situation. And it should be someone who actually cares about their students, not just the paycheck and the power trip :shades:

[Dupin]

Well, my best relationship with a teacher would be with the Band Director, but I've been in classes with him for years.

 

There are two different history teachers I like, each with very different teaching styles

 

1. He taught World History II. I liked him because he got the students involved in the topic. I have never liked learning about China, but I can safely say I enjoyed it when in his class. Textbook reading was minimal, notes were done in the form of him writing some stuff (usually a flowchart) on the board briefly, then doing an activity. He would constantly be doing things like dressing up as Truman and asking us to act as his cabinet, advising him on whether or not to drop the bomb based on what they knew at the time.

 

Pros: Class was INTERACTIVE. This is both fun and a good teaching tool. Learn to role-play, think of ways to teach beside notes. Also, very little textbook reading and not many class notes. I actually looked forward to this class every day.

 

Cons: I don't know if I learned as much. The stuff he taught holds well, but I think I learned less facts. Also, I found the class easy, and ended up skipping half of the essays, while still passing easily. So while it wasn't entirely his fault, I didn't learn much about writing.

 

2. She taught World History I and American History. She was an intense teacher, and very difficult. One of the big thinks in WHI was removing the passive tense from our writing, and I think I learned much more about writing from her.

 

Pros: Learned lots of facts, lots of writing. Class was challenging. Gave us sources besides the textbook to read which really expanded my understanding of the topic.

 

Cons: Not as interactive, too many notes from a somniferous book, and most teaching was done with powerpoints, which were boring.

[Zierro]

In general, I find that I learn lots more if the teacher has some sense of humour. No one likes a shouting, stressed out teacher that does nothing but get angry for no reason.

 

Being patronizing never gets you anywhere either, so treat kids as kids and adults as adults too. I remember when my physics teacher just started and he taught alot at Secondary schools, so he was really annoying.

 

A lot of the teachers I had were exactly like this. They favored discipline over education. I had teachers who would waste 10 minutes lecturing the class on how bad their behavior is for texting, passing notes, or putting your head down instead of using that time to give an academic lecture to those who were paying attention. And guess what? It made those kids want to act even worse because then they took the teacher as a joke.

 

Everyone on this thread is going to say something different when it comes to qualities they like to see in teachers, and all of those make a good teacher! Teachers should be able to adapt to whatever their students need, no matter the situation. And it should be someone who actually cares about their students, not just the paycheck and the power trip :shades:

 

Very good points. :thumbup:

[Nadril]

Oh and being a clear and articulate speaker is a must too. I know it seems obvious but I've had so many teachers over the years who have been very hard to listen to for a number of reasons. (either too monotone, can't understand them, whatever).

[ElkNight]

The best teachers are ones that are fun to be around, but not just a slacking off class.

I've had cool teachers where I really liked them, but I ended up doing nothing.

 

So the ability to be fun and yet still get students to do their work and whatnot.

Also, funny teachers are the [cabbage].

[Pinkbullet3]

If I learned something useful in class, then that teacher is good enough for me.

[tripsis]

My favourite teacher was my high school physics teacher. Not only did she make class bearable, but she was often pretty fun and I felt like I was able to retain information very well. When most teachers test you, it is SO much like a "guess what I'm thinking" test rather than "let's see what you've learned." You can put in a ton of effort but then just get really unlucky and study all the wrong things and do poorly on the test. I'm not saying the teachers should tell you EXACTLY what they're going to test you on, but I like my teachers to give me a good idea.

 

Additionally, in order for me to learn something the class has to be bearable. I have yet to have a class that I love, but there are ways that teachers can at least make it interesting and not "zomg this so awful I want to claw my eyes out." For instance, one of my math teachers just made every day so... boring. He was one of those teachers that would NEVER EVER EVER take one day or one MINUTE to go off-topic. First day of class - bam - you're learning. All the way up until the last day. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but he doesn't even throw in some jokes or take 5 minutes to just relax and be a regular guy and connect with the class. It was him being serious all day every day. The first hint at someone driving him off-topic and he was on them, already changing the subject back to math. He refused to share anything about his personal life.

 

On the contrary, in my physics class, we got a lot of work done but the teacher was always connecting with the students on a more personal level. She was fun, threw in some casual conversation, tried to make learning an interesting experience, she shared information about herself and her life, etc.

 

Also, I like it when teachers have organized tests and quizzes. I hate pop quizzes - absolutely hate them. To me they're just like "SURPRISE! Now let's see who has a photographic memory or who has too much free time and studies every single day." They don't help me learn at all. What I do like is when teachers have an organized, planned system. Maybe you have a quiz once every two weeks and then a test once every six weeks. That way I know what to expect, I know when I have to study and honestly just knowing that I have a test or quiz coming helps me retain information better.. I don't know why. But surprising me doesn't help at all.

 

That's how my physics class was structured and I think the reason I did so well in the class is a combination of all of the above. Except you're never going to be able to have a teacher who is good for everybody. For instance, I knew so many people who hated this teacher because she tried too hard to connect and they didn't agree with her style of teaching. While I was acing the tests, my friends around me were getting C's. So everybody is going to have a different idea of what makes a good teacher.

[Sy_Accursed]

I think what makes a good teacher is very subjective to subject and age range.

Like the amazing uni lecturers wouldn;t be good high school teachers etc.

[Star_Fox]

Several factors I can think of is motivation, great teaching methods, treating every student equally and not picking favorites,

great sense of humor, jokes around occasionally, teaches outside their specified curriculum, and offers plenty of help to

disadvantaged students. That's what defines a good teacher/professor.

[Assume Nothing]

My favourite teacher was my high school physics teacher. Not only did she make class bearable, but she was often pretty fun and I felt like I was able to retain information very well. When most teachers test you, it is SO much like a "guess what I'm thinking" test rather than "let's see what you've learned." You can put in a ton of effort but then just get really unlucky and study all the wrong things and do poorly on the test. I'm not saying the teachers should tell you EXACTLY what they're going to test you on, but I like my teachers to give me a good idea.

 

Additionally, in order for me to learn something the class has to be bearable. I have yet to have a class that I love, but there are ways that teachers can at least make it interesting and not "zomg this so awful I want to claw my eyes out." For instance, one of my math teachers just made every day so... boring. He was one of those teachers that would NEVER EVER EVER take one day or one MINUTE to go off-topic. First day of class - bam - you're learning. All the way up until the last day. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but he doesn't even throw in some jokes or take 5 minutes to just relax and be a regular guy and connect with the class. It was him being serious all day every day. The first hint at someone driving him off-topic and he was on them, already changing the subject back to math. He refused to share anything about his personal life.

 

On the contrary, in my physics class, we got a lot of work done but the teacher was always connecting with the students on a more personal level. She was fun, threw in some casual conversation, tried to make learning an interesting experience, she shared information about herself and her life, etc.

 

Also, I like it when teachers have organized tests and quizzes. I hate pop quizzes - absolutely hate them. To me they're just like "SURPRISE! Now let's see who has a photographic memory or who has too much free time and studies every single day." They don't help me learn at all. What I do like is when teachers have an organized, planned system. Maybe you have a quiz once every two weeks and then a test once every six weeks. That way I know what to expect, I know when I have to study and honestly just knowing that I have a test or quiz coming helps me retain information better.. I don't know why. But surprising me doesn't help at all.

 

That's how my physics class was structured and I think the reason I did so well in the class is a combination of all of the above. Except you're never going to be able to have a teacher who is good for everybody. For instance, I knew so many people who hated this teacher because she tried too hard to connect and they didn't agree with her style of teaching. While I was acing the tests, my friends around me were getting C's. So everybody is going to have a different idea of what makes a good teacher.

 

The part about bearable classes I definitely agree with. If you don't go off-topic for one second, you get brain dead pretty quickly from the short attention span of the average human being. (30-40 minutes)

[Orpheus]

What makes ME a good teacher? If I were a bad teacher I wouldn't be sitting here discussin' it with ya, now would I?!

 

To be serious though, the class needs to be bearable and enjoyable. Even if the material is frankly boring, if the teacher can make it enjoyable in some way, it'll be a lot better than interesting material and a terrible teacher.

[Jeffwilson99]

Well I think everyone has very good points, and it's fair to say I agree with them.

 

You want a teacher who you respect enough to listen to, but yet can have fun with. I guess it's about striking up that balance between being strict and fun. An other thing I find weird is that if I go on to do a teaching course, I will only be 21 when I graduate, which seems way too young.

[Albel]

As a future teacher, I look to my professors and doctors in my classes. And all of them a amazing teachers, and they all have the same thing in common. Patience. They can look at us students and see that we have a lot on our plate, so they do expect a lot from us, but if we don't meet what they want, they are always willing to help us out.

 

Respect is another thing I see in my teachers. All of my teachers respect me and trust me enough to learn and play very difficult music in a short amount of time.

 

Lastly is just having fun, but also staying on track. It makes the classes fun and more memorable.

[mcneilp]

As others have said, patience is pretty high up on the list. Some of the best teachers I've had have found ways of making some really boring but important part of the course more bearable and easy to learn. My old French teacher had some good games we'd play to learn verbs. He'd split us up into teams, give us a verb each, we'd then have to conjugate it then make the funniest sentence with it we could, using the french we knew.

 

A laid back personality as well. Some of my tutors last year were pretty laid back and easy going but still got the respect of the students, which is a hard thing to find a good balance between I think. Be too laid back and they'll take advantage of that, be too strict and it doesn't create a nice atmosphere in class. Some people are just naturally good teachers as well.

[Tacos]

All of my teachers are nice.

 

BECAUSE THEY LET YOU TELL JOKES IN CLASS. (seriously, about 15 puns in one period)

 

 

But what i think makes a good teacher is that they understand you, help you, are fun/funny, and encourage you to do your best.

[Hawks]

My favourite teacher was my high school physics teacher. Not only did she make class bearable, but she was often pretty fun and I felt like I was able to retain information very well. When most teachers test you, it is SO much like a "guess what I'm thinking" test rather than "let's see what you've learned." You can put in a ton of effort but then just get really unlucky and study all the wrong things and do poorly on the test. I'm not saying the teachers should tell you EXACTLY what they're going to test you on, but I like my teachers to give me a good idea.

 

My favorite teacher is/was my physics teacher too. (He's now my computer repair/engineering teacher) I think it's important to understand more than just the subject, and be involved in school (he runs ski club and electrathon too) and be willing to share that knowledge. (he knows why polarized sunglasses make car window tinting look weird, and now I do too!) Personally I like blunt teachers who aren't afraid to tell you you're plain wrong, but tell you how to fix it too. Putting the information you need to know right out there and then leaving it up to you to take notes or not is setting you up to succeed; you can only fail in his class if you don't pay attention or take notes.

[Socc]

First off, take some Drama classes or some form of drama before you start teaching. The arts like that open a person up so much that it leaves an effect. At my school it's a requirement for new teachers that they've been involved in the arts in a way. I think that drama would benefit Geography more than something like Visual Art.

 

Secondly, get some real world experience in Geography. The real world experience is what's going to separate your application from someone else going for the same job. I don't really know what jobs a Geographist(sp?) does, but it'll mean that much more in a good school district. (My school is the top public school in my state and that's a requirement for any teacher (Except for math and english, but you have to have your masters degrees in those fields).

 

Third, be able to think well and articulate your thoughts. Be prepared for debates and discussions. My Speech teacher really inspires me for multiple reasons. The biggest is that he's not afraid of my superintendent. He will not kiss the superintendents ass for anything, that's why he was hire too. Because he has his own voice. My superintendent is one of those people that command respect, he teaches college classes and is able to go to colleges and intimidate the Presidents of universities. He will literally tell them what to do. So make sure you have backbone.

 

With your lessons, make sure you're well pre-pared. On top of being prepared, don't stand in the front of the room and teach. Move alllllllll around the room, engage heavily in discussion. Have fun with it too. Command your respect and it'll go well.

[Guy]

To be a good teacher, you've really got to find the right balance between fun, respect, and learning. If its too much strict learning (no discussing or talking of any kind) then I know I will become dead bored and I wont learn much.