One is generally considered an outstanding teacher who delivers outstanding lessons. What is your opinion about which qualities make an outstanding teacher?
Hope this helps!
The outstanding teacher explains, demonstrates and inspires. The outstanding teacher loves learning, is patient and caring that all can learn too. The outstanding teacher gives the struggling ones that self-belief that the sky is the limit once learners invest the required hard work and persistence. To the learner the outstanding teacher is the most constant of friends. They are accessible, approachable and gives wise counsel when requested.
Here is a handful of suggestions for you:
http://www.thebestschools.org/magazine/10-realistic-qualities-outstanding-teachers/
http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol8/802-thompson.aspx
https://sites.google.com/site/jessicaeadsteachingportfolio/home/what-skills-or-attributes-do-you-believe-are-necessary-to-be-an-outstanding-teacher
http://www.inspiringleaderstoday.com/ILTMaterials/LEVEL2_IQT-v4.0-2014_08_22-11_06_0/improving-the-quality-of-teaching/iqt-s02/iqt-s02-t02.html
Care for students: teaching is worth nothing without this. We wrote about learner-centredness proposing three levels. 1. Caring for students and their learning. Level 2: Student-centred pedagogy; course relevance. Level 3: Student-shared responsibility, developing students' sense of agency; power-sharing. This idea goes beyond individual characteristics of a teacher or personality to an approach to learning -teaching.
(1) The teacher is considerate of and works with the student's references (values, goals, purposes, interests...) rather than ignoring them and only imposing his own, insofar as possible; (2) when specific learning objectives exist, the teacher takes a mastery-approach rather than a norm-references approach to achieving them (i.e., with the emphasis on mastery of the objectives by all rather than grading students into different levels of mastery such as an A, B, C, D, F approach), (3) the teacher actively involves students in learning activities, and (4) the teacher is competent, both as an interpersonal guide to learning and in the learning area being focused upon.
If we believe that what we impart is actually learned, then the best teachers are also the very best communicators. This means they must constantly be able to understand how learning works. Specifically, they must be able to evaluate how it works for each student.
Credentials, curriculum and are meaningless unless the teacher/student relationship fosters the transfer of data, information, knowledge and occasionally wisdom.
We, teachers and lecturers, have to keep always present that we work with human beings. They have different personalities, with own characteristics (needs, interests, aspirations, learning styles, types of intelligence, previous experiences and knowledge, etc); that is why, we should always facilitate the teaching learning process giving each of them the opportunity of learning, giving special attention to this diversity of students. So, for me great teachers implement student-centred approaches and new methodologies, stimulate autonomy and life-long learning skills, as well as, stablish good relationships with the students from whom we always learn.
Hope this helps!
The outstanding teacher explains, demonstrates and inspires. The outstanding teacher loves learning, is patient and caring that all can learn too. The outstanding teacher gives the struggling ones that self-belief that the sky is the limit once learners invest the required hard work and persistence. To the learner the outstanding teacher is the most constant of friends. They are accessible, approachable and gives wise counsel when requested.
Here is a handful of suggestions for you:
http://www.thebestschools.org/magazine/10-realistic-qualities-outstanding-teachers/
http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol8/802-thompson.aspx
https://sites.google.com/site/jessicaeadsteachingportfolio/home/what-skills-or-attributes-do-you-believe-are-necessary-to-be-an-outstanding-teacher
http://www.inspiringleaderstoday.com/ILTMaterials/LEVEL2_IQT-v4.0-2014_08_22-11_06_0/improving-the-quality-of-teaching/iqt-s02/iqt-s02-t02.html
--be patient
--be a good listener
--be friendly
--be approachable
--- always upgrade self with latter method and knowledge in his/her field.
I think a good teacher must:
- love to teach;
- be a good learner, open to new knowledge that may upset or erode what he or she may have previously learned;
- make learning enjoyable for students- using different methods and tools, such as games, storytelling, challenges, experiments, "real-life" examples, riddles, etc.;
- be able to adapt to different students, learning technology and environments, and educational institutions;
- know about the subject matter he or she teaches;
- be able to learn by experience and by sharing with other teachers;
- use evaluations as a development tool for self and students- not as an instrument for punishment:
- consider each failing student a challenge;
- help students become full members of the Knowledge Society- by developing their skills to learn and teach.
There are several qualities of an outstanding teacher. Nevertheless, some of the most important qualities are 1) love (passion), 2) leadership, 3) classroom management, and 4) content knowledge. We, as teachers have different purposes and each role requires certain qualities to be manifested. Basically, teachers are supposed to accommodate the academic, social, and emotional needs of their students and this requires the above mentioned qualities to be displayed reliably over the course of teaching services. Most often, teachers may start teaching with having a passion for their work. Through the time that love develops into determination and loyalty. The passion that an outstanding teacher has can reflect through their effectiveness and efficiency. Also, a sense of selflessness and being compassionate for helping others remain present, and for these, teachers overstretch themselves in a more useful way to meet their aims. Above all, teaching is demanding in a diversity of ways, which include time, effort, and dedication. In addition, passionate teachers spent their time communicating with students and their parents. In my view, there are multiple qualities of an outstanding teacher and these qualities progress through the years of our teaching experience. Thus, becoming an excellent teacher is a trajectory that evolves over the years of our experience as teachers.
For me... an outstanding teacher is one who tries to inspire a love of learning, creates opportunities for learning to happen, acknowledges potential pitfalls but has the determination to find ways around them.
Thank you Dr Fitzroy, your suggestions and recommendations (references) are wonderful.
Thank you Dr Erik, for your nice suggestions. Your Article 'What the Best College Teachers Do' is indeed very interesting and informative.
Thank you Suo, for mentioning important qualities of outstanding teacher.
Thank you Maria, for explaining the qualities of an outstanding teacher.
I endorse all the qualities submitted. I can only add "learning from students", so teaching and learning is a two-way process.
Best regards,
Debra
Impressive statement, 'teaching and learning is a two way process'. Thank you Dr Debra for your comments.
Best Regards
Zahir
A teacher is a facilitator of information, appreciates and loves his mission in life, knows his stuff, and is compassionate and understanding.
Interesting and nice comments. Thank you Dr Gloria for your views about the qualities making outstanding teacher.
What is your opinion about which qualities make an outstanding teacher?
Agreed with many good answers & sharing from other researchers / scholars. Personally I find qualities of an outstanding teacher can include:
Dear Dr Han
Thank you for your comments and recommendation. Your views for making an outstanding teacher are wonderful. Many thanks.
In my opinion, the outstanding teacher is the teacher who can be many students' role model.
Hi dear
There is a saying that 'a teacher is only as good as his knowledge is.' So, knowledge comes first then there are many qualities supposed to be existed in any teacher. According to me a teacher must be good listener, good communicator, innovative, has a sense of humour, be patient, and has a smiled face.
Liqaa
Thank you, Prof Tatsuo, for your so impressive comments for a teacher to be an outstanding teacher. Manay thanks and Best Regards.
over the years I have been a teacher and student. I find that the best teachers possess some universal qualities. Good teachers have rapports with their students which inspire confidence, respect, and genuine caring. Good teachers make themselves available most of the time and respond to student queries in a timely manner. Memorable teachers get to know students in order to understand and relate to students as whole persons rather than as only members of the class. Teachers who are easy to talk to are admired not because they have all the answers but because they go out of their way to offer advice and direct students to helpful experts. Students remember teachers who are honest and offer positive criticism which leads to good outcomes. Highly qualified pedagogues possessing humility and caring are excellent role models and facilitators of learning. Positive outlook, respect, genuine concern, and understanding are descriptors of some of the best teachers I have encountered throughout my educational endeavors.
Dear Dr Harpinder. Thank you. I am very impressed by your comments. You mentioned remarkable qualities of good, admirable, honest, best and memorable teachers...! Really fascinating and inspiring comments.
Interesting question, although one that is probably very subjective and will differ from person to person. Personally I would argue that an outstanding teacher is one that helps me see beyond what is measurable (my exam result, my homework score) and moves me towards a thirst for information about the subject. If I choose to study after the lesson has finished then the teaching has gone beyond the norm
Thank you Dear Peter. I feel another very interesting facet, angle and reality in your comments. You indeed explained an outstanding teacher very clearly, and what should be the major responsibilities of an outstanding teacher for his/ her students! I admire your suggestions!
If you ask me to answer this Question in a SINGLE word, I would simply say "Sincerity". Essentially, sincerity drives to achieve WHATEVER you mean by an outstanding teacher. The other hand also holds true i.e. if you are NOT sincere, WHATEVER you have is simply multiplied by 0 !
I think, first of all, this is the "humanity" of the teacher. The highest degree of patience and ability to accept your students. Indulgence on the one hand, and at the same time, the ability to motivate to achieve a result. The ability to engage in an object and talk about it so that it is "impossible not to understand."
How do you define "outstanding"? Do we really need "outstanding" teachers? Or do we need good educators who are student-centered guides on the side in every respect? what constitutes a "good educator" in the context of the 21st century in online, face-to-face, or blended environments? in the developed world or...? questions... questions...
I consider Transparency, Continous knowledge updating, Ethical Teaching-learning practices would be the most leading.
An outstanding teacher has excellent pedagogical content knowledge, earnest commitment and exemplary performance.
Thank you Dr Jamshed. Sincerity is indeed the most important quality that makes a teacher outstanding. I agree with you.
Thank you Dr Dmytro. Indeed, "humanity" is the utmost important attribute for a teacher to be included in the list of outstanding teachers. I agree with you.
Thank you Dr Maria. Your comments are indeed interesting and important considering wider perspective for describing good teachers.Our question is not related to that aspect. It is regarding the teachers with outstanding abilities and qualities, and it is not necessary to have all those qualities to be a good teacher. I am impressed by the above given views and recommendations of the experts.
The level of each and every teacher can not be similar, good or outstanding. Indeed they have categories as in all other areas and professions. Outstanding teachers however, are the best leaders and mentors in teaching, or the best leaders and guides of good teachers. I hope I clarified your comments and question.
Thank you Dr Qureshi. I am very impressed that you oriented toward important outstanding attributes for a teacher to be outstanding. I agree with you that, 'Transparency, Continous knowledge updating, Ethical Teaching-learning practices would be the most leading' qualities.
While we are all teachers in some capacity, very few of us are great teachers. Every single one of us is a teacher in some capacity. We teach ourselves and we teach each other. An outstanding teacher is sensitive to their students’ needs. some of our most influential and life-changing role models are teachers.
Thank you Dr Danilo: I liked your comments describing exemplary qualities for those good teacher that become able gradually to enter into outstanding and exemplary category of teachers.
Beside subject skills, a good teacher should have an effective discipline skills which can promote positive behaviors among the students.
Dear Dr Muhammad Asghar, 'effective discipline skills' indeed are quite important set of qualities. I like your suggestion.
An outstanding teaching is a treasure that his or her luster can spark to eliminate ignorance. He or she is a precious gem at the middle of the forest that his or her luster will be sought for modelling of right behavior, right attitude, and right beliefs.
"Two education researchers turned to the online discussion platform Reddit in an attempt to piece together an honest picture of how the public really views those who spend day in and day out schooling young people in reading, writing, math, and everything in between. Their study concludes that personal educational values inform a person's perception of what makes a "good" or a "bad" teacher. (Watch Education Week reporters, editors, and staff share their memories of favorite teachers who made a lasting impact on their lives in this video.)
"We tend to think in terms of good and bad teachers, but reality is less clear-cut," said Sandra Chang-Kredl, an assistant professor of education at Concordia University in Canada and a co-author of the study. "The teacher who is good for me can be bad for someone else; it depends on the student's values, needs, and approaches to schooling."
http://mobile.edweek.org/c.jsp?cid=25920011&item=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.edweek.org%2Fv1%2Fblog%2F83%2F%3Fuuid%3D72430&cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB
Do you want to be a teacher? Do you want to teach English as a foreign language? Or a second language? Although teaching is a challenging profession, it is also very rewarding if the individual wants to make a difference.
Question is, “What is your opinion about which qualities make an outstanding teacher”?
An individual who possess patience, knowledge, good listening skills, maturity, who is willing to lead, has a good personality, organization skills, who is innovative, flexible, and has a commitment to a life-long learning, can become an outstanding teacher.
This individual has no fear of a changing educational environment, whether in the United States or abroad. He or she is a friend, a counselor, a good listener, puts student’s well-being ahead of his or her own. This individual is an outstanding teacher.
Knowledge building, Self-learning attitude, Intrapersonal skills, Good command over language, Ethical approach, Sincerity in Teaching, Helping nature......All integrating towards an Ideal Teacher
Dear Zahir,
Outstanding teacher is a rare gem. It is not easy to find nor difficult to miss one. To label a teacher as outstanding requires certain qualities such as -
1) Respect diverse learners - in terms of ethnic and cultural diversities
2) Highly knowledgeable - contextual and not book-based
3) Good presentation mode - easy to understand slides, handbook, infograph
4) Good listeners - for problematic, gifted or special needs learners
5) Facilitate not dictate learners
6) Understand different types of learners - phasing of learners according to their learning abilities
Therefore it is not because of delivering outstanding lessons alone that make one an outstanding teacher but the makeup of the aforementioned qualities that distinguish a normal teacher to that of an outstanding one.
Best regards.
Mariam
Thank you Dr Kiran, Dr Reynaldo, Dr Maria, Dr Isabel, Dr Guillermo, Dr Qureshi and Dr Mariam for so your wonderful comments and discussions in this Question-Answer session, and all those who followed and recommended my question. I admire your views very much, and thank all of you for providing valuable suggestions!
The one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge is the power of teaching-Aristotle
except with knowledge in the specific field, should be approachable, friendly and put self into students' shoes.
A great teacher is one a student remembers and cherishes forever. Teachers have long-lasting impacts on the lives of their students, and the greatest teachers inspire students toward greatness. To be successful, a great teacher must have:
An Engaging Personality and Teaching Style
A great teacher is very engaging and holds the attention of students in all discussions.
Clear Objectives for Lessons
A great teacher establishes clear objectives for each lesson and works to meet those specific objectives during each class.
Effective Discipline Skills
A great teacher has effective discipline skills and can promote positive behaviors and change in the classroom.
Good Classroom Management Skills
A great teacher has good classroom management skills and can ensure good student behavior, effective study and work habits, and an overall sense of respect in the classroom.
Good Communication with Parents
A great teacher maintains open communication with parents and keeps them informed of what is going on in the classroom as far as curriculum, discipline, and other issues. They make themselves available for phone calls, meetings, and email.
High Expectations
A great teacher has high expectations of their students and encourages everyone to always work at their best level.
Knowledge of Curriculum and Standards
A great teacher has thorough knowledge of the school's curriculum and other standards they must uphold in the classroom. They ensure their teaching meets those standards.
Knowledge of Subject Matter
This may seem obvious, but is sometimes overlooked. A great teacher has incredible knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject matter they are teaching. They are prepared to answer questions and keep the material interesting for the students.
Passion for Children and Teaching
A great teacher is passionate about teaching and working with children. They are excited about influencing students' lives and understand the impact they have.
Strong Rapport with Students
A great teacher develops a strong rapport with students and establishes trusting relationships.
http://teaching.monster.com/careers/articles/9144-top-10-qualities-of-a-great-teacher
J R Soc Med. 2005 Feb; 98(2): 67–69.
doi: 10.1258/jrsm.98.2.67
PMCID: PMC1079387
The qualities of a good teacher: how can they be acquired and sustained?
Samy A Azer, MB PhD
Author information ► Copyright and License information ►
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
The introduction of problem-based learning (PBL) in undergraduate medical courses necessitates the special training of teachers and monitoring of their performance.1 In traditional courses the emphasis is on transmission of factual knowledge; teachers are the main source of information and students are offered few opportunities to identify their own learning needs or reflect collectively on their learning experience.2Then, if the outcomes are unfavourable, the blame lies with the student, for lack of skills or motivation. By contrast, in PBL courses the responsibilities of teachers include: encouraging critical thinking; fostering self-directed learning and curiosity; monitoring group progress; and creating a learning environment that stimulates all members in the group, generates deep understanding, and promotes teamwork.1,3
These activities demand special attributes. Over the past five years I have run over forty workshops for would-be PBL tutors as well as refresher workshops for existing tutors who wish to enhance their skills as PBL facilitators. These workshops usually begin with a session titled What makes good teachers? and I ask participants to write down the name of the best teacher they have ever had and list his or her good qualities: ‘In what way did your best teacher help you to grow?’ Certain qualities are common to many of these teachers—for example, ‘He treated me with respect and was interested in helping and supporting me’; ‘She motivated me to love the subject she was teaching’; ‘She created a positive impact on my life that reshaped my vision and purpose’; ‘He was able to keep us engaged in his lessons, think, and ask good questions’; ‘I realized that learning can be fun and a life-long experience’. These responses stimulated me to examine the qualities of a good teacher in a more systematic way.
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ROLE MODELS
Role modelling is thought to be an integral component of medical education. We identify people as role models when they inspire imitation and influence people working with them to develop new skills and achieve their potential.4,5 Students learn from continuous observation of the ways their teachers handle difficult and stressful situations, how they relate to their patients, and how they deal with ethical and moral issues.
In one recent study, the most highly regarded teachers in a large department of medicine were asked to specify the personal qualities, teaching skills and clinical competencies they considered most critical for effective role modelling in medicine.6 The findings indicated that good teachers are enthusiastic, friendly, easy-going, able to develop rapport with learners, committed to the growth of their students, approachable, interested in learners as people, and always conscious of their status as role models. The participants were then asked to list barriers to effective modelling and these included being quiet, being overextended, having difficulty remembering names and being impatient and impulsive.
Is ethnic background or culture relevant to the choice of role models in medical schools? The answer is yes,7,8 and this needs to be borne in mind in selection of faculty teaching staff and appointment of teaching and assessment committees.9 All medical educators should be aware of the impact of cultural differences on learning.
A search of the Medline and HighWire databases under ‘good teachers’ and ‘mentors’ indicates that the subject attracts growing attention. From January 1978 to December 2003 the number of publications was 1061, of which just over half appeared in the last 4 years. Box 1 lists the qualities of a good teacher highlighted in this published work, under categories derived from my own experience.
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PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
In PBL courses, the usual rewards for excellent teaching are personal prizes, grants for research in education, or funding to attend professional development courses. Among the benefits are the encouragement of young tutors to develop careers in medical education and establishment of links with local and international educators and researchers in medical education. A good tutor training programme fosters the arts of facilitation, group dynamics, and feedback.10–13 Faculty training and mentoring programmes should be part of university policies for the promotion of academic excellence.14 One initial training session for faculty development at the beginning of a project (e.g., introduction of PBL) is not enough. Follow-up mentoring, coupled with opportunities to share ideas with other tutors as new skills are developed, is crucial to successful implementation of a new curriculum.14,15 The academies of medical educators at Harvard Medical School and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) are two examples of current trends in medical and health education. At Harvard, the academy aims to reward excellence in teaching and provide a forum for the exchange of ideas across departmental and institutional lines.16 The academy at UCSF likewise rewards talent and has also initiated a mentoring programme to help junior faculty members enhance their teaching skills.17 One aim of faculty development programmes is to improve teachers’ abilities to write high-quality and reliable test questions. Assessment of students’ cognitive skills is a much neglected area in curriculum change.18
Box 1 Twelve qualities of a good teacher or mentor
Committed to the work
Focuses on educational needs of the students
Works with passion
Keen to uphold the university's values
Enthusiastic about work and about teaching
Encourages and appreciates diversity
Does not stereotype or speak negatively of others
Nurtures and encourages diversity
Seeks and encourages understanding of, and respect for, people of diverse backgrounds
Interacts and communicates respect
Communicates effectively with others
Encourages input from others, listening deeply and giving credit for their contributions
Acts with integrity
Provides a model of high ethical standards
Shows a caring attitude
Motivates students and co-workers
Encourages students to achieve their goals
Provides constructive feedback
Monitors progress of students and fosters their success
Brings a wide range of skills and talents to teaching
Teaching is clearly presented and stimulates high-order thinking skills
Presents difficult concepts comprehensibly
Brings appropriate evidence to the critique
Teaches memorably
Demonstrates leadership in teaching
Contributes to course design and structure
Contributes to publications on education
Evidence of self-development in an educational context
Demonstrates creativity in teaching strategies
Committed to professional development in education
Encourages an open and trusting learning environment
Creates a climate of trust
Encourages students to learn from mistakes
Helps students redefine failure as a learning experience
Encourages student questions and engagement in the learning process
Encourages student growth with appropriate behaviour-based feedback
Fosters critical thinking
Teaches students how to think, not what to think
Encourages students to organize, analyse and evaluate
Explores with probing questions
Discusses ideas in an organized way
Helps students to focus on key issues
Trains students in strategic thinking
Encourages creative work
Motivates students to create new ideas
Fosters innovation and new approaches
Emphasizes teamwork
Builds links at national and international levels in education
Encourages students to work in teams
Encourages collaborative learning
Seeks continually to improve teaching skills
Seeks to learn and incorporate new skills, and information teaching
Seeks feedback and criticism
Keeps up to date in specialty
Provides positive feedback
Listens to students and discovers their educational needs
Values students, never belittles
Provides constructive feedback
Helps and supports people to grow
Teaches students how to monitor their own progress.
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CHALLENGES
The emerging changes in medical curricula and the role of medical teachers necessitates the development of standards for medical education at international as well as national levels.19–21 As research becomes the main criterion for promotion in academia, faculty time for education is at risk.22 This is one of the main challenges facing educators in universities worldwide. Vice-chancellors and deans need to reassess the criteria for academic promotion and allocate more credit for education. A second challenge is the lack of training and mentoring programmes in medical and health professional schools. Although the introduction of PBL has necessitated the development of training programmes in most schools, these need to be backed by mentoring and continuous support for new tutors. A third challenge is the separation of research from education, and the consequent lack of established knowledge in areas such as staff development and enhancement of teaching skills.23 A fourth challenge is the lack of resources for training teachers and junior faculty academics.
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CONCLUSIONS
The advent of PBL has cast a spotlight on the qualities of a good teacher. Excellent teachers serve as role models, influence career choices and enable students to reach their potential. Some of the necessary qualities are inherent, others can be acquired. In medical schools the good teachers must be nurtured and rewarded.
Note The author chaired the Subcommittee of Excellence in Teaching Awards, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, the University of Melbourne, 2003–2004.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1079387/
Teaching is hard work and some teachers never grow to be anything better than mediocre. They do the bare minimum required and very little more. The great teachers, however, work tirelessly to create a challenging, nurturing environment for their students. Great teaching seems to have less to do with our knowledge and skills than with our attitude toward our students, our subject, and our work. Although this list is certainly not all-inclusive, I have narrowed down the many characteristics of a great teacher to those I have found to be the most essential, regardless of the age of the learner:
1. A great teacher respects students. In a great teacher’s classroom, each person’s ideas and opinions are valued. Students feel safe to express their feelings and learn to respect and listen to others. This teacher creates a welcoming learning environment for all students.
2. A great teacher creates a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. The mutual respect in this teacher’s classroom provides a supportive, collaborative environment. In this small community, there are rules to follow and jobs to be done and each student is aware that he or she is an important, integral part of the group. A great teacher lets students know that they can depend not only on her, but also on the entire class.
3. A great teacher is warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. This person is approachable, not only to students, but to everyone on campus. This is the teacher to whom students know they can go with any problems or concerns or even to share a funny story. Great teachers possess good listening skills and take time out of their way-too-busy schedules for anyone who needs them. If this teacher is having a bad day, no one ever knows—the teacher leaves personal baggage outside the school doors.
4. A great teacher sets high expectations for all students. This teacher realizes that the expectations she has for her students greatly affect their achievement; she knows that students generally give to teachers as much or as little as is expected of them.
5. A great teacher has his own love of learning and inspires students with his passion for education and for the course material. He constantly renews himself as a professional on his quest to provide students with the highest quality of education possible. This teacher has no fear of learning new teaching strategies or incorporating new technologies into lessons, and always seems to be the one who is willing to share what he’s learned with colleagues.
6. A great teacher is a skilled leader. Different from administrative leaders, effective teachers focus on shared decision-making and teamwork, as well as on community building. This great teacher conveys this sense of leadership to students by providing opportunities for each of them to assume leadership roles.
7. A great teacher can “shift-gears” and is flexible when a lesson isn’t working. This teacher assesses his teaching throughout the lessons and finds new ways to present material to make sure that every student understands the key concepts.
8. A great teacher collaborates with colleagues on an ongoing basis. Rather than thinking of herself as weak because she asks for suggestions or help, this teacher views collaboration as a way to learn from a fellow professional. A great teacher uses constructive criticism and advice as an opportunity to grow as an educator.
9. A great teacher maintains professionalism in all areas—from personal appearance to organizational skills and preparedness for each day. Her communication skills are exemplary, whether she is speaking with an administrator, one of her students or a colleague. The respect that the great teacher receives because of her professional manner is obvious to those around her.
1. Knowledge of the subject matter
You can’t teach what you don’t know. All teachers need not be experts in their fields, but possessing knowledge is important. Teachers must continue building their understandings of their subjects throughout their careers.
2. Patience
No teacher should be expected to have much patience with individuals whose lack of discipline, immaturity, or indolence interrupts the work of other students. Patience with students who are trying to learn, however, is part and parcel of the teaching profession. Impatience with sincere students is an indication of the teacher’s own shortcomings.
3. Intellectual curiosity
All good teachers are intellectually curious and naturally driven by their interests in keeping abreast of changes in their fields.
4. Confidence
Good teachers are confident in their abilities to sense where students are in the learning process and in their students’ abilities to learn material that is presented in a logical and graduated fashion.
5. Compassion
Talented teachers are able to work with students with varying levels of maturity and knowledge. A college professor I know once made the following statement about his experience as a teacher: “Each year teaching is more challenging for me, because I grow a year older and the students stay the same age. The widening age gap forces me to stretch in order to reach them.”
6. Achievement
Experienced teachers have clear thoughts on what their students should know at the end of the term, and they understand what they must do along the way in order to reach those goals.
7. Planning
Teachers must have plans and stick to them. This goes deeper than rigidly following a course syllabus. Effective teachers sense when students need more time to absorb the material and, within limitations, are willing to give it to them.
8. Awareness
Teachers in elementary and secondary schools must have eyes in the backs of their heads. They need to be aware of everything that happens in their classrooms and in adjacent hallways. Teachers who are awake are able to stop nonsense before it starts and keep students on track.
9. Mentorship
Teachers often serve as mentors to their students. The desire to influence students positively is a core motivation of many teachers when they enter the teaching profession.
10. Maturity
In no profession is maturity more important than in teaching. Students experience emotional ups and downs, and insightful teachers are able to sense the changes and respond to them appropriately. Teachers must be pillars, consistently encouraging students to grow as human beings and to develop academically.
11. Community involvement
Maintaining good community relations is part of being a teacher, and teachers’ contact with parents, administrators, and community leaders enhances their effectiveness in the classroom.
12. Organization
One-on-one tutoring is easy compared to leading a classroom of students in a single direction. Teachers must be able to manage students’ multiple personalities and organize their subject matters so that a maximum number of students benefits from their presentations.
13. Vision
Teaching encompasses far more than passing information from teachers to students. Teachers should be illuminators who provide their students not only with interesting and useful material, but also with visions of where they might end up if they learn well.
14. Context
Every subject has a context, and teachers are responsible for providing it to their students. Since no one learns in a vacuum, teachers must show their students how the information they are learning might be used or might lead to the development of some other useful skill.
15. Mission
Perhaps the most important thing teachers communicate to students and to the community is a sense of satisfaction with their choice of teaching as their life mission. Teaching at its highest level is a calling, and good teachers feel it to their cores.
16. Enthusiasm
Excellent teachers never lose enthusiasm for their profession. They might become temporarily burdened by administrative hassles or isolated problems, but their underlying engagement with their work is unwavering. Students feel this energy, and teachers who project it are much more successful than those who do not.
http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/8-characteristics-of-a-great-teacher/
Hello Zahir Hussain – Umm Al-Qura University
One is generally considered an outstanding teacher who delivers outstanding lessons. What is your opinion about which qualities make an outstanding teacher?
What is your opinion about which qualities make an outstanding teacher?
The outstanding teacher is a leader, compassionate, loving, learner, puts students’ well-being before his/her own. An outstanding teacher finds ways to communicate with each student as an individual, individual students learn better when they know their teacher is there to help them understand the lesson’s concept. An outstanding teacher knows how to best engage his/her students and what is the best activities and techniques that deliver the best instruction.
First should recognize the level of student and guides them to achieve the required goals
Teaching is not a service,profession or a job it is a pillar of the society.
Good teachers are the reason why ordinary students dream to do extraordinary things..........
If the students remember a teacher even after 10-15 years or lifetime, there is best quality in the teacher. A teacher should practise what he preaches in the classroom. He/she should demonstrate integrity, honesty, punctuality, sincerity, dedication to his/her work and many more...that attracts the learners or students.
http://www.inspiringleaderstoday.com/ILTMaterials/LEVEL2_IQT-v4.0-2014_08_22-11_06_0/improving-the-quality-of-teaching/iqt-s02/iqt-s02-t02.html
The best teacher is like a burning candle who consumes himself giving giving light to others. He always inspires and motivates each student to learn. He should have the passion for teaching. To Teach is to learn Twice. There shouldn't be the word 'No' in teacher's dictionary.
The best teachers are those, which students hate most while prepairing for exams. Speaking of personal expierience there, I also was a lazy kid once...And finally learing is a process involving more sweat and tears than smiles. But why does Researchgate send me to this topic - I was searching for Script tutorials for Gibbs Enthalpy Minimization modelling....
I think a teacher who can connect with the mind of each pupil- outside of the books.
Excellent subject knowledge, ability to respond and adapt planned lessons as per students’ need, to relate to students and to strike an appropriate balance between opportunities to work are some the key assets that make an outstanding teacher.
Dear Prof. Zahir Hussain, Knowledge is in books. Teachers just motivate students to learn. I think outstanding teachers must inspire learners. In other words, they are Dreamweaver. ܺ
Dear Prof. Zahir Hussain,
Knowledge is in books. Teachers just motivate students to learn. I think outstanding teachers must inspire students. In other words, they are Dreamweaver.
ܺ
Indeed, quality makes an outstanding teacher. It is the pride of every teacher to hear his students pass comments such as "Mr A's class was the best class I ever attended". But, what would make your students pass such a comment about you! It means as a teacher you are:Patient, Authoritative, Humorous, Compassionate, Flexible, Ambitious, Courageous, Interesting, Energetic and Confident. These attributes are what makes a quality and outstanding teacher.
https://thebestschools.org/magazine/10-realistic-qualities-outstanding-teachers/
Essentially teachers accommodate the academic, social, and emotional needs of their students. Most important qualities are passion, leadership, classroom management, and content knowledge. An outstanding teacher should also be a leader and good listener and should utilize superior classroom management techniques. He should possess is a concise understanding of the information being presented.
Agree with Yogesh and add that the teacher must provide needed inspiration to his/her students to seek deeper and broader understanding of the subject.
The successful teacher is the one who keeps abreast of developments in the field of teaching methods and his field of competence
To me the most important quality of a good teacher is kindness. S/he should be KIND.
Other qualities include, but not limited to, being friendly, a wonderful personality, knowledgeable in the field of study, good listener, and etc.
Outstanding teachers hold a genuine and sincere love for teaching. They need to be patient, gentle, kind. organized, competent, confident and well prepared.
It all depends how many of your students remember you after many years.
If many, then you have the qualities to make a memorable and effective teacher.
Clarity in basic concepts of the subject, dedication and sincerity in teaching, and good listening ability makes a teacher an outstanding one.
Nice query@ Zahir Hussain
Thanks
The qualities of an outstanding teacher are multiple. However, some of the most important qualities are content knowledge , classroom management, and leadership. The outstanding teacher must be patient and keen.
Dedication, hard working, sincerity, skill, ready to spend time to learn new stuff. They should be sincere to the profession.
Zahir Hussain There are several qualities of an outstanding teacher. One quality is the metacognitive skill of the teacher. Metacognition is defined as the process of reflection, which encourages deeper learning. If a student is regularly able to self-reflect on his performance as well as the performance of others, he will learn more and improve academic results. For teachers, it can help monitor and also change the lessons in the future and for students, it can also improve their performance in future lessons. Dividing metacognition strategies into before a task, during a task and after a task stages can be helpful .Here are simple questions that can develop metacognitive strategies in each of these three stages:
(i) Before a Task - Is this similar to a previous task? What do I want to achieve? What should I do first?
(ii) During The Task - Am I on the right track? What can I do differently? Who can I ask for help?
(iii) After a Task - What went well? What could I have done better? Can I apply this to other situations?
Hope this helps.
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