One thing that makes this world unique is that everybody is different. The same is true when it comes to education. Teaching is a rewarding profession, but it can also be challenging at times. Knowing that not everyone learns in the same way and what works for one person might not work for another is a great quality to have although not every teacher does. Throughout my years in school, I have encountered a few teachers who understood that everybody’s mind is different, and a few who were less understanding. If I were to become a teacher, there are a few steps that I would take to ensure my students got the most out of my class.
The first step a good teacher should take is forming a relationship with his or her students and gaining their trust. To this day, I can still remember how compassionate and understanding my third-grade teacher was with her students. I feel like third grade is where kids start to mature a little bit. It is the year they start testing in school and want to be more independent at home. I see it in my son now and in myself as I look back upon that time. By having a kindhearted and sympathetic teacher during that changing time in my life, I gained confidence in myself and was more willing to trust her. I knew she was on my side, knew what I was going through, and cared enough about me to make a difference in my life. As a teacher. I would let the student know that I care about them as a person and want to see them succeed. A good teacher must have respect for his or her students and understand that each student has their own personality, interests, abilities, and needs. My job as their teacher is to try to accommodate each student in a way that will best benefit them. A teacher also needs to be friendly and easy to talk to. My students would need to know that I am on their side and not an enemy.
Another trait of a good teacher is the ability to make learning fun, but still challenging for his or her students. I once had a history teacher in high school who was also a coach. It was a very boring class and I was getting a bad grade. He gave me the impression that he did not have the knowledge or passion for what he was teaching. He would assign us something to read and then we would have a test, or we would watch a movie and take a quiz. It was the same thing over and over for each class. If he would have switched up how we were learning the subject and showed that he cared about what he was teaching, then I might have gotten a better grade and been more willing to learn. As a teacher, I would find different ways in which the subject I was teaching could be taught. Keeping students engaged can be a difficult task especially in this day and age of phones and social media. However, keeping them involved and participating is very important when it comes to learning something new. Maybe by letting my students be creative and being open to new ideas that interest them, they might be more willing to listen and absorb the information. Everyone has the ability to be educated if it is taught in a way that stimulates the mind.
Finally, communication with the students as well as their parents is another effective step a good teacher should take. As a teacher, I would make sure I always engage with a positive attitude and let the student know how well they are doing as well as where they might be able to improve. I feel it is a great opportunity for questions, and I would encourage their feedback. In school, I used to fear and have so much anxiety over the parent-teacher conferences. But now as a parent, I look forward to them and know how effective they can be. Knowing that the teacher cares enough about my child to let me, as their parent, know how they are doing or where they might need help is a good feeling.
There are many components that make up a good teacher. Connecting with his or her students and being truly passionate about his or her career while still creating a fundamental learning experience are just a few of the many ways in which a teacher can have a positive impact on an individual. Teaching does not have to stop at the end of the school day and can go beyond the classroom. Teachers have an opportunity to inspire and encourage greatness in all aspects of life whether it be personal or educational. All of these can be effective tools when it comes to being an exceptional teacher.