Algirdas Makarevicius. Great Teacher Characteristics
What are the Characteristics of a Great Teacher?
A great teacher has the following attributes.
Simple and Honest
The great teacher interprets challenging topics in an accessible way and never claims that he or she knows everything. The teacher never strives to impress students with expertise and background. Also, the great teacher never tells lies and is never pretentious, arrogant, bombastic, or impudent.
Kind, Attentive, Helpful, and Considerate
The great teacher sees the value and importance of every individual. The teacher is kind not only to his or her best friends but also to each student, colleague, and student’s parents. The teacher’s kindness and generosity help students feel supported, protected and loved.
Organized and Consistent
An organized and consistent teacher can formulate his or her objectives, comes to school well-prepared, and is always on time for classes. Such a teacher conducts lessons in a planned, understandable, and well-structured way and uses the most advanced teaching methodologies.
Demonstrates and Promotes Creativity
The great teacher illustrates and proves but does not just inform or give orders. A great teacher can explain a concept or an assignment, but he or she can also demonstrate it. The great teacher presents exciting ideas and draws pictures, charts, diagrams, and maps. The teacher promotes creativity and acts as a facilitator.
Pleasant Character
The great teacher treats all people nicely, not because they are nice but because the teacher himself/herself is nice. Such a teacher affects the students with excellent behavior and acts as a role model.
Positive Attitude
The great teacher is always friendly and usually smiles. The teacher’s positive attitude inspires students to study and gives them moral support and spiritual strength. Being positive in challenging situations for the students, especially before exams, can produce a remarkably productive and optimistic impact on the students’ performance.
Shows Respect and Esteem
A great teacher is sensitive to students and always respects them. He is enthusiastic, accessible, and caring. When a great teacher treats students with respect, he or she also earns their respect.
Tolerant and Self-Disciplined
The great teacher never loses their temper and never displays anger, exasperation, resentment, disappointment, or rage. The teacher calmly explains the complicated subject, no matter how many errors or mistakes the learners make. Patience demonstrates an outstanding character in a teacher that will be followed by the students.
Learns and Inspires
The great teacher gains experience and knowledge from their students because he or she understands that it is impossible and unnecessary to know everything. Accordingly, a great teacher is never threatened by students’ challenging questions. By learning, the teacher inspires students to develop their lifelong study skills because the teacher is also a lifelong learner. When the course is finished, the students continue studying and showing interest in the material taught by the teacher.
Stimulates Creativity and Critical Thinking
A great teacher involves the learners and encourages creativity and critical thinking skills. Learning is an active process that stimulates creativity. Therefore, such a teacher's motto is 'Learning by doing.’ He or she knows it is impossible to pour information into students’ minds like water is poured into a jar.
An Expert in the Field He or She Teaches
Last but not least, the great teacher is the master of his or her subject, always works professionally, uses a lot of time on professional development, presents skilfully learning materials, and inspires learners to study independently.
Algirdas Makarevicius. Reflections: How to Teach English Vocabulary?
Algirdas Makarevicius. How to Teach Debating in the Classroom?
Algirdas Makarevicius. Which English Language Teaching Method to Choose?
What are the Characteristics of a Great Teacher?
A great teacher has the following attributes.
Simple and Honest
The great teacher interprets challenging topics in an accessible way and never claims that he or she knows everything. The teacher never strives to impress students with expertise and background. Also, the great teacher never tells lies and is never pretentious, arrogant, bombastic, or impudent.
Kind, Attentive, Helpful, and Considerate
The great teacher sees the value and importance of every individual. The teacher is kind not only to his or her best friends but also to each student, colleague, and student’s parents. The teacher’s kindness and generosity help students feel supported, protected and loved.
An organized and consistent teacher can formulate his or her objectives, comes to school well-prepared, and is always on time for classes. Such a teacher conducts lessons in a planned, understandable, and well-structured way and uses the most advanced teaching methodologies.
Demonstrates and Promotes Creativity
The great teacher illustrates and proves but does not just inform or give orders. A great teacher can explain a concept or an assignment, but he or she can also demonstrate it. The great teacher presents exciting ideas and draws pictures, charts, diagrams, and maps. The teacher promotes creativity and acts as a facilitator.
Pleasant Character
The great teacher treats all people nicely, not because they are nice but because the teacher himself/herself is nice. Such a teacher affects the students with excellent behavior and acts as a role model.
Positive Attitude
The great teacher is always friendly and usually smiles. The teacher’s positive attitude inspires students to study and gives them moral support and spiritual strength. Being positive in challenging situations for the students, especially before exams, can produce a remarkably productive and optimistic impact on the students’ performance.
Shows Respect and Esteem
A great teacher is sensitive to students and always respects them. He is enthusiastic, accessible, and caring. When a great teacher treats students with respect, he or she also earns their respect.
Tolerant and Self-Disciplined
The great teacher never loses their temper and never displays anger, exasperation, resentment, disappointment, or rage. The teacher calmly explains the complicated subject, no matter how many errors or mistakes the learners make. Patience demonstrates an outstanding character in a teacher that will be followed by the students.
Learns and Inspires
The great teacher gains experience and knowledge from their students because he or she understands that it is impossible and unnecessary to know everything. Accordingly, a great teacher is never threatened by students’ challenging questions. By learning, the teacher inspires students to develop their lifelong study skills because the teacher is also a lifelong learner. When the course is finished, the students continue studying and showing interest in the material taught by the teacher.
Stimulates Creativity and Critical Thinking
A great teacher involves the learners and encourages creativity and critical thinking skills. Learning is an active process that stimulates creativity. Therefore, such a teacher's motto is 'Learning by doing.’ He or she knows it is impossible to pour information into students’ minds like water is poured into a jar.
An Expert in the Field He or She Teaches
Last but not least, the great teacher is the master of his or her subject, always works professionally, uses a lot of time on professional development, presents skilfully learning materials, and inspires learners to study independently.
Algirdas Makarevicius. Reflections: How to Teach English Vocabulary?
Algirdas Makarevicius. How to Teach Debating in the Classroom?
Algirdas Makarevicius. Which English Language Teaching Method to Choose?