Characteristics of a Great Teacher (2012)

The most popular post in the history of this blog was called "Qualities of a Great Teacher". In that post, I asked students to list qualities of a great teacher. With all the talk lately about good and bad teachers (and the demoralizing bashing that they receive at the hands of legislators, public figures, and former software giants), I decided to ask again. This time, I added the words 'effective' in my inquiry. What are the qualities of a teacher who kids learn the most from. The current Department of Ed chief and Governor seem to think that a test can be given to help determine who would make an effective teacher. Here is a Wordle I created from the results:

Looking at this, I imagine everyone expected nice, funny, fun to be large. Did you imagine strict would be?? There are a lot of reasons for that locally, but it matches what I have always known: Kids want to have fun and have someone who cares about them, but they also want structure. 

I summarized the information in this way: Students want a positive, caring and fun teacher that can reteach things that are confusing students and can control the classroom. Isn't that what YOU want too? I admit as I read through the list and tabulated the results, I wondered which of the words would describe me and which ones would not.

With the exception of "Knows what they are talking about", NONE of the things on the kids' list could be measured on a test. Remember I asked them who they learned the most from, not who they liked.

Here is the actual list. Items with numbers behind them is how many other people had that same comment:

Takes time to make sure each person understands what’s going on

Being strict at times, though they can be very easy going if we listen and do as told.

Has humor-1

Cares -1

Hands on

Finds unique ways to teach-1

Explains things thoroughly -2

Not too smart

Listens to students

Has structure/rules

Positive all the time 2

Happy person 3

Fun to be in class with

Teacher you lessons you use later in life

Fun - 4

Obey the rules but aren’t strict

Do repetitive activities

Nice 12

They do fun stuff with us -1

They show many ways of solving a problem

Helpful

Does activities-1

Caring-4

Trusting

Always willing to help

I like a teacher that gives many examples so I can learn them better

A teacher that knows how to have fun-3

Funny-8

Happy all the time

Confidence-2

Know your lesson

Isn’t afraid to break things down

Let us talk-1

Intelligent

Good speaker

Helpful

Discipline 2

Let us work in groups

Doesn’t get mad at students

Positive-3

Puts in extra time with you

A person that is willing to teach it to you

Tough but reasonable

Doesn’t yell-1

Is kind to all kids-2

Doesn’t judge

Treats you like a student and sometimes a friend

Someone you can joke with

Someone that keeps order in the classroom

Passionate about their work

Cheerful

Doesn’t hate children

Likes what they teach

Always outgoing

Willing to listen to my thoughts

Appropriate

Puts their best effort into their teaching

Knows what he/she is doing/talking about-2

Not strict

Can be stern at times-1

Must be willing to help a student

Good grading scale

Professional but friendly

Smart

Bonds with students

Not really old

Likes sports

Relates to students

Engages in classroom activities

Takes student feedback and tries to adjust to it within reason

Teaches the lessons with analogies that don’t relate to the subject

Relaxed yet strict environment

Helps you out when you need it and makes sure you understand it before you continue

Doesn’t ignore any student

Doesn’t pick favorites-3

Helps you one on one

Not always serious

Relate things to life experiences

Supportive

Creative

Easy going and a little strict at times-1

Doesn’t bring personal problems in the class

Treats people as equal

Makes things fun

Has an orderly classroom with structure

A teacher that understands me-4

Appropriate-1

Cares for/about students-1

Loving

Determined

A good taste in shoes

Wears a nice pair of slacks

Has a good haircut

Teachers who go back and reteach criteria if students don’t understand

Teacher that wants the kids to learn. A lot of teachers just give you a book and expect you to know and won’t answer questions

Cares about student grades

A teacher who tells it like it is

Trustworthy

Someone that knows how to discipline enough that we’re still having fun

Willing to listen

Someone who doesn’t just talk all the time

Doesn’t leave people out

Good sense of humor-2

Teaches in a fun way while still keeping it all appropriate

Isn’t afraid to laugh or sound stupid

Is a good example

Knows how to tell a joke about they they’re teaching

Keeps class interesting

Can keep control of the class

Words things so we can understand them