Over 23 Qualities of a Good Teacher (Updated 2023) (2023)

On the last day of professional development, we were asked to think about the qualities of a good teacher.

If you've ever been in a staff room, I'm sure you'll agree that this question has sparked a lot of engaged discussion. I have found that teachers are not shy about expressing their opinions on these topics.

Well, at the end of the exercise, I slyly hid the flipchart we scribbled all our notes on, knowing it would be a great idea for my blog topic of the week.

So, below, for all teachers (and I'm sure students too!) thinking about the qualities of a great teacher - look no further!

Let's start...

Read also: Is it worth being a teacher? (Why I stopped teaching)

1. Focus on learning

I was the first to suggest this to the group.

I have noticed that some people who enter the classroom for the first time (myself included!) lack concentration.

Theyyou want to focus on being a funny teacheror be the light of a child's life. They have high aspirations and ambitions about what makes a good teacher

... and everything collapses. Fast.

Why?

Well, we will soonteachers understand it's funit is important to. As well as inspiration and aspiration. But at the heart of it, once you've stripped away all the other layers, lies one important goal:

To make sure that students learn.

Focus on bright eyeslearninghelps us develop quality lessons every time.

He makes sure we don't go beyond the script and realize that after ten weeks of the term... wait, I'm not even halfway through the syllabus yet! A conversation between parents and teachers follows, and little Johnny shows no progress!

And… maybe even worse… my students don't respect me!

Checkpoint 2…

Related: Qualities of a good manager

2. Advanced group management skills

Another key quality of a good teacher is the ability to manage groups of children.

I know these are unconventional to begin with (yes, I'll get to clichés like "Patience" in no time). But I think those first two points are really the core of what teachers learn in their workin the first years.

So… group management.

This is probably the #1 skill new teachers are aware ofneedif they want to succeed after the first term.

Less skill to know where to stand in the classroom, how to position yourselftable arrangements, use inflection in your voice, project the project's identity and authorityhugequalities that make a good teacher.

The authority in the space of class management isMichael Linsen iz Intelligent Classroom Management“I recommend him to any new teacher who is looking for advice on how to develop the qualities of a good mentor. I met him for the first time inCult of pedagogypodcast and have been returning to their blog posts a lot lately.

3. Control your voice

This feature is part of the previous two.

In other words, voice control is necessary for:

• Teach students well; AND
• Good student management

To teach well, mastering the voice means being able to pause to absorb content, highlight important concepts, and express interest in the topic. You need to be an expressive speaker, engage, understand how to use pitch and pause to get the job done.

Then there is the option to use your voice to control the class.

OtoMichal SoczewkiAgain:

"Screaming, yelling, commanding and the like is antagonistic. This creates a you versus them relationship, not one based on respect and good relations. The result is a disliked teacher whose only means of influence is intimidation.”

4. Patience

Okay, now for something big. Patience.

This is the first question most teachers will come up with when you ask them: What is the greatest quality of a good teacher?

Why?

Because you use it. Everyone. Single. Day.

When do you celebrate the 23rd?^{research and development}Today an essay on the same topic. when you fight -heavy– that the student understands the concept (which seems insanely easy to you).

If you don't have patience, you won't be a teacher. You... hate... this.

So,Teachers need patience: the phrase is there for a reason.

5. Humility

I learned that quickly as an academic teacher.

I'm wrong. I did much, much, much more in the first 2-3 years. But I still make mistakes.

And usually the mistakes I make are made under pressure.

In tennis terms, I no longer make unforced errors.

But when I have 169 assignments to grade in 13 days (starting on the 13th^czmonth - Lord give me strength), there is a good chance that I will make a few mistakes under pressure - or"forced errors"in the tennis sense.

It's the pressure of work.

And when students come up to me and say "Dude, you're screwed!" ... I'm going to need the humility to say, "Yeah, sorry, let me look at that again."

To quote the great Kendrick Lamar, he says, "Be humble."

6. Desire to learn

And this one, I believe, builds on the previous one.

It's a "the more you know, the more you realize you know nothing" situation.

I'll get to 9 soon^czyears as a teacher. And I don't know squats. ANDteach teachersI am still aware that I have a lot to learn.

Teachers must learnurine.

I mentioned earlier that I have a new blog that I go to for classroom management tips. He is 9 years old and still learning a lot on this site. It will never end.

If you are too stubborn to realize that you have a lot to learn, you will be a terrible teacher.

So be willing to learn. No end.

7. Willingness to help

Here's a more optimistic one.

I think what gets me out of bed in the morning is that I really want to help my students.

When a student needs help after the bell rings at the end of the day, a good teacher is not the type of person to say, "Sorry, school's over."

And I think anyone who feels that way really hates their job.

In the background of this point is realityteaching is more than work, is a vocation (forgive these clichés ... it's hard to write this post without them!). But yes, it's true. You have to be a person who really gives a lot of yourself in your work.

In return, you'll get more than a paycheck—you'll get a community.

8. Focus on social justice

Here is something that connects us.

We, the teachers, care about justice. Very.

This ispersonal qualitywhich comes from working with the underprivileged and the powerless. It comes from the realization that school is more than thatmeritocracy.

Children fail because their parents do not feed them nutritious food. Children fail because they havedyslexiaor fight scientists. Children fail for a variety of reasons beyond their control. This can't be a man-eat-dog worldin fullblame for his fate in life. And on the front line of teaching, we live this reality every day.

This is what makes teachers - in general - deeply focused on social justice. We understand how important it is to have a community that invests and comes together so that everyone can reach the goal.

9. Empathy

Point 8. The previous point leads naturally to point 9.

We are fully empathic.

It's hard not to be. Working hand in hand with children who are going through quite difficult situations, your heart must be with those children.

As an academic teacher, I see this in my adult students as well. They are single mothers digging deep into a degree while working full time and struggling to pay the bills.

Everyone has their own things in mind. Life is hard. And we see that in our work every day.

10. Pedagogical knowledge

A good teacher knows how to teach.

„Pedagogyit is just that: the ability to teach.

At the university, all teachers are taught the concept of pedagogical knowledge.

It goes something like this:

A good teacher knows how to teach (pedagogy) and what he teaches (content).

Let's start with pedagogy.

Pedagogyit's everything from the art of breaking down concepts into bite-sized pieces to knowing when students' brains are saturated and when it's time for a break.

It is intuition (or "hidden knowledge') as well as a clear understanding of what needs to be done.

And good teachers do that. They know what needs to be done to get students from point A to point B.

11. Content knowledge

The other half of the pedagogical content knowledge equation is, of course, the content.

If you are a science teacher, you have a much better understanding of Newton's third law.

It's that simple.

But that's another quality of a good teacher: you have to be a little smart. You need to know your content inside out so that your students know the correct information.

So, if you're a student reading this post, you might be wondering: if I want to be a good teacher, should I refresh my content?

If so, you have a few years to work on it before you stand in front of a class and start teaching them Newton's Third Law.

12. Strong work ethic

My mother was a teacher and taught me that.

With four kids and a full-time teaching job, she would come home, cook us dinner, and then go straight to her office to schedule lessons for the next day.

Teaching can be a huge burden. No release. You are on, planning lessons, digging deep and working hardeven when you are tiredto get the job done.

As a university teacher, this is no more evident than when it's my assessment period. My contract gives me 25 minutes to assess and give feedback on a 2000 word essay. Then I turn around and repeat. And one more time. 169 times.

Good teachers know how to work hard to get the job done.

13. Flexibility

If you have rigorous ideas about how your lesson will go, you will have a lot to learn!

Working with students - and especially with children - will bring new problems. All the time. No end.

A good teacher is a flexible teacher. They must be able to think for themselves and modify their lesson plans based on the needs of their students. When a student does not understand the way you are teaching something, you need to change it immediately.

14. Generosity / Sharing

The teaching profession is a profession of sharing.

We understand that our job is hard - really hard. And that writing classes require a lot of effort and preparation.

That's why teachers like to share.

When you start out, you will rely heavily on senior colleagues. They will point you in the right direction, share their resources and make sure you are on the right track.

Teachers do not compete with each other. we want to seeallchildren succeed no matter what grade they are in. That's why we're usually very happy to share our content for everyone's benefit.

15. Commitment to local communities

Teaching is a community-oriented profession.

We are not just unit teachers. We are teachers of saleswomen, lawyers, bakers and doctors.

Any teacher who has worked in the community for a good 20 years will know what I mean. You are connected to almost everyone in your community.

You will be able to show up at community events and be welcomed with open arms.

You have to becommunity orientedto be an excellent teacher. You have to take care of your community because you are at the center of it. You will be involved in its success.

It's great to see your community grow and develop over time and know you were a part of it.

16. Professionalism under pressure

There will be times when parents and superiors will put a lot of pressure on you. Your students can also cause a lot of stress and tension. As a university professor, I have a side job where students sometimes make fun of me for my courses.

When you're under pressure, you have to be the ultimate professional. Especially from parents. You must react to aggressive behavior calmly. You will need to help explain and reassure parents and students how things are going.

And of course, you have to respect and consider everyone's concerns and input - while still being the absolute professional.

17. Resilience and sense of humor

Great teachers can laugh. I can laugh (not) at my students. And I can laugh at myself and my situation.

Fortunately, when I taught kindergarten, it was a very fun place. Children really do say and do the funniest things.

But sometimes things go wrong. Your classes will be canceled due to circumstances beyond your control. Kids will wet their pants, call you "mom" and make grossly inappropriate comments (which are usually hilarious in their own way).

And all that time you can't break down.

You have to be able to smile and laugh in your own way.

Or... you'll go crazy.

18. Positivity and enthusiasm

Your students and their parents don't care that your marriage is falling apart. They don't care that you're grieving the death of a family member or that you suffered a doctor's panic over the weekend.

Every day, teachers have to paint their happy faces and march into class knowing they have work to do.

In the classroom, you must put all your effort into creating a positive learning environment. Hisyourtask to set the scene. Your behavior and manners are picked up by the students.

You have to show your students that you are interested andLovethe idea of ​​teaching and learning this particular information package that you will be dealing with today.

If you don't have an apartment all day, students will suffer. So put on that happy, funny and enthusiastic face for the benefit of the little students in your care.

19. Kindness

Good teachers are good teachers.

When a student has made a mistake or been rude to you, you can't call them a jerk. You can't talk to them or get rid of them for a week likepunishment for your behavior.

You have to get down on their level and let them know that you forgive them and that you believe in their ability to fix themselves.

There is no place in the classroom for a teacher who does not care about the well-being, happiness and success of students. Even if the student seems like a complete and utter jerk... you have to be kind. That's your job.

20. Research skills

Yeah, I know… I'm a university teacher, so I'm in the game right now.

But I believe it is true.

High-quality research skills are crucial for a good teacher.

First, you must be able to gather information that is true, accurate, and most relevant to students. It makes no sense to take the first thing you find on Google and teach it. Who knows if it's wrong?

Instead, you need to know who and which sources to trust. I usually start with trusted senior teachers in my school. How can they give me quality information about the content I teach?

You must also be able to research good teaching skills. The internet is full of lesson ideas...butwhat is quality and what is not?

I recommend that you start building a portfolio of credible resources now – including websites that should support teachers, as well as quality books on teaching and learning.

21. Quality teachers stick to their commitments

Do what you say you're going to do.

If the teacher promises the student that he will continue something, he better do it!

Our students really hang on to our every word. If we promise something, they will remember if you kept your word.

The same applies to obligations towards colleagues. If you tell a co-worker that you will pay for their lunch, it is your responsibility to keep your word.

We rely on each other a lot in this profession. Therefore, we must assume and fulfill our obligations when we assume them.

22. Organizational skills are essential

With 25-30 students in each class, you have to be able to walk in and know what you're doing every time.

You also need to know plan B and plan C.

What happens if a student leaves very early? What happens if a student is late? What happens ifthe whole classdon't understand? What will happen when...?

Anything can happen.

Then you have the bigger picture.

How far along are you in the curriculum? Can you finish everything by the end of the school year? What's your plan?

23. You must be a little crazy

In the end, we all agreed on professional development: you have to be a little crazy to be a good teacher.

You have to spend all night writing these reports and grading essays. You have to keep moving forward when that's the last thing you want to do.

And you keep thinking about breaking up, but then you remember...hey, the good outweighs the bad. And we are all a little crazy together!