Teachers are an essential part of our society. They pave the way for our children’s future by giving them the great gift of learning. There are many desirable traits that a teacher could have that could affect the way they teach. But there are only some that make an impact on their students. Studies have shown these traits and how they make a difference in a student’s life.
Mastery over the Curriculum
An effective teacher is one who has shown mastery over their given curriculum. Teachers who have this trait have the capability of making the curriculum more interesting to learners. They are also better equipped to teach the curriculum to those who struggle in it.
As we all know, teachers are given a list of lessons that they have to accomplish over a semester or a year. The best teachers know this curriculum like the back of their hand. Some gain this trait through years and years of practice. Others have it inherently, as the curriculum given to them is part of their field of expertise or close to it. While some rely on their confidence and experience.
A study has found that the best trait to have for music instructors is self-efficacy. This means that their self-confidence regarding the subject they are teaching has more impact than knowing the subject’s every technical detail.
For example, piano instructors have to rely more on their self-efficacy to determine whether a student is in the right tune. This is in comparison to math teachers who have to rely mostly on their logical reasoning when it comes to assessing a student’s formula. So when assigning lessons to teachers, lessons with more ingenuity to teachers with high self-efficacy.
Flexibility in Teaching Others
Teachers can’t just rely on one simple method of teaching. They have to take into account that many students learn in different ways. So by being able to teach flexibly, they are better equipped to teach those who are having a hard time in a given subject.
Effective teachers are those capable of teaching metacognitive strategies to students, such as mnemonics. These teachers should also be capable of thinking outside the box when teaching students.
There are multiple ways to teach. Sometimes, a different approach is the key to a student’s learning, so effective teachers shouldn’t be scared to experiment with various teaching styles. It is also important that they know how to give constructive feedback.
Students in secondary schools are reliant on feedback to learn, but they are also sensitive to criticism. Every teacher must know how to give students the right kind of feedback and not only criticize them for their faults.
Fairness to Everyone
Favoritism ruins every classroom. A teacher who picks a student to be the “best” or the “smartest” can hinder student learning. Many students, especially those at a younger age, are sensitive to what others think of them. For example, praising one student because of their high aptitude for learning can only alienate them from their peers. So when giving praise or positive reinforcement, make sure that everyone in class who deserves it can have it.
Being fair to everyone requires a lot of skill and finesse because some situations are not in a teacher’s control. But by being consistent and aware of how students think and feel, a teacher can adapt to these circumstances. That’s why it’s important to hold seminars to help teachers learn about the different ways they can be more effective in class. As students in various generations vary, teachers must also learn and adapt to their needs.
