10 qualities of a great teacher
Teaching is a skill. No matter how much an individual may know, communicating a concept effectively to a student takes practice and patience. The following are some of the qualities that I believe make a teacher great, whether you are teaching yoga or sharing a newly learned skill with a friend.
1. A great teacher respects students. In a great teacher’s classroom, each person’s ideas and opinions are valued, regardless of their experience level, race, political views or background. Students should always feel safe to express their own feelings and understand that they are expected to respect and listen to others. A great teacher creates a welcoming learning environment for all students and demonstrates non-judgement.
2. A great teacher shares their knowledge honestly. A great teacher is ready to share what they know as students become ready to absorb the information. A great teacher does not hold back information from their students in order to keep a hierarchy above them and most importantly a great teacher does not make up answers they do not know. Admitting to not knowing demonstrates humility and willingness to continue learning and offers students to contribute their knowledge, creating a well-rounded learning space.
3. A great teacher is warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. Regardless of the struggles a teacher may be experiencing outside of the classroom, a great teacher sets aside their personal life to show up authentically and enthusiastically for their class. If this is not possible, a great teacher knows when to set the boundary for themselves and step back form teaching for the short period until they can show up fully for their students. This kind of teacher provides appropriate time for connecting with their students, is upfront about when and how they can be reached and remains responsive during those times.
4. A great teacher strives to address all learning preferences. This kind of teacher understands that students learn in various capacities and provides learning opportunities that address all learning preferences from verbal to auditory learning and more. A great teacher creates lesson plans that utilize all of the learning preferences and engages students in creative and embodied ways beyond simply speaking information “At” students. A great teacher creates an interactive learning environment.
5. A great teacher has their own love of learning and inspires students with their passion for education and for the course material. This teacher seeks continuing inspiration and education as a professional to provide students with the highest quality of education possible. This teacher has no fear of learning new teaching strategies or incorporating new technologies into lessons, and always seems to be the one who is willing to share what they’ve learned with colleagues. A great teacher knows there is always more to learn.
6. A great teacher is a skilled leader. A great teacher commands the space with respect and keeps the learning environment on task. Great teachers focus on shared decision-making and teamwork, as well as on community building. This great teacher conveys this sense of leadership to students by providing opportunities and encouraging each of them to assume leadership roles. A great teacher understands that “to teach is to learn.”
7. A great teacher can meet the student where they are and is flexible when a lesson isn’t working. This teacher is ready to change the course of the lesson if a student is not responding to the presentation of material and understands that the goal is not attachment to the lesson plan but a mutual understanding of the concepts being presented. A great teacher also understands that a lesson that isn’t working is not a reflection of them as a teacher, but rather an opportunity to challenge themselves to become a stronger communicator.
8. A great teacher collaborates with colleagues on an ongoing basis. Rather than thinking of themselves as weak when in need of help, a great teacher welcomes feedback and input from colleagues in order to maintain a progressive and effective learning environment.
9. A great teacher is professional. A great teacher takes pride in their personal appearance and organizational skills, showing up on time and prepared for each day. This teacher takes feedback seriously and does the research to address any issues through the correct channels with the support of their team. A great teacher strives to remain ethically and legally in good standing and knows when to seek outside help for issues that may arise in the learning environment. Through this example, a great teacher demonstrates professional behavior with students and peers and allows for time in their classroom to be spent on what truly matters – learning and growth.
10. A great teacher is authentic. In order to promote an open learning environment, a great teacher is authentic in their approach. They understand that a teacher is human and does not need to be perfect all of the time. A great teacher will acknowledge their mistakes and apologize if needed and is comfortable sharing their authentic voice with kindness and care. A great teacher knows that their perceived weakness is often their greatest strength since they can reach students with similar struggles as they too have been in the same shoes. A great teacher is brave and real.
– What additional items might you add to this list?
– What do you believe makes a great teacher?
– Who are the most memorable teachers you can recall in your life and what qualities did they have that allowed you to connect with them and remember their class?
By: Denver Clark, C-IAYT, ERYT-500
