Amazing Communicators

Good teachers must be amazingly talented communicators. Knowledge of a subject is crucial, but without the ability to convey and explain concepts, knowledge meets a dead end. Successful transfer of knowledge requires creativity and enthusiasm from the teacher’s perspective as well as from the student’s perspective. A good teacher teaches students problem solving methods which will help them question and apply more than just knowledge to everyday experiences. Students want to learn when a teacher makes each lesson interesting and relevant to their everyday life. Showing respect for each student is part of a good teacher’s daily routine. Students feel respected when they are encouraged to learn, are given opportunities to be successful, productive team members and are rewarded for their efforts. Good teachers are those who communicate well, make acquisition of knowledge interesting and important, and impart a sense of dignity and pride within students.

I think opinions about good teacher qualities vary between individuals due to personal experiences as a student. Each of us remember a teacher who had a positive influence on our lives. This experience made us feel valued as a person and as a learner. We tend to base our opinion of good teacher qualities on what made us feel successful in the classroom. Recalling these personal experiences and providing these opportunities for our students makes us better teachers.