Things that Make a Great Teacher

To be a great teacher, you have to have a passion for teaching. You have to want to be in the classroom, and it's essential that you even enjoy it. A great teacher always gives at least 110% to his or her students and constantly goes above and beyond the call of duty. A great teacher knows what students have already learned and in turn what they need to learn. A great teacher thinks outside the box and is able to make creative and exciting lesson plans that the students will really enjoy.

A great teacher is always pleasant and in a good mood. Teachers have to leave their personal problems at the door since they need to focus on their students and the things that are going on in the classroom. Education is supposed to be all about the students, so teachers can't slack off or take short cuts just because of a bad day. A teacher who is too consumed or burdened by personal problems isn't going to be able to give students 110%. Teachers need to remain professional at all times and make things appear fine even if they're not.

Other things that make a great teacher are the humbleness to admit mistakes, the strength to ask for help, and the courage to deal with failures and move on. A lot of times, teachers won't even admit that they're wrong. Teachers usually don't want their colleagues or the administration know that they've made a mistake so they try to hide them and cover them up. Teachers need to realize that they have to ask for help and assistance from others or things are just going to get worse and worse.

A great teacher really cares about the students and loves being in the classroom. A teacher wants to listen to what students have to say and enjoys being a mentor and a role model to them. Great teachers are the ones who focus on the intrinsic rewards of teaching and not complaining about the lack of monetary ones.

A great teacher always wants to become a better teacher and takes advantage of professional growth opportunities. A great teacher strives to get parents involved in things that are going on in the classroom. A great teacher is authoritative but never mean or harsh. Consistency is also important since teachers have to be very consistent when it comes to being an authority figure. In addition, a great teacher has a sense of humor. This teacher can tell jokes, lighten the mood, and enjoy having some fun in the classroom.