What Makes A Good Teacher?

Our students watch us carefully and have some very definite views on what makes a good teacher. It should be remembered that we are the professionals, not our students, and as such, we should be the ones adapting to them, not vice versa.

 

Also, as respected Canadian educator, Lane Clark, asserts, we are preparing them for their futures, not our past. 

 

When assisting schools across Australia, I collect opinions from students on what makes a good teacher and present their responses to their teachers. It is a powerful learning tool for us to take on board in our professional development to ensure our growth.

 

It is interesting that our students see personal perspectives and relationships as the prime things they value with us. Relational learning is something we must tap into to optimise our students’ learning outcomes.

 

Over the next months, attached to each fortnightly article, will be a summary of what each particular year level sees as special. This one will be for Year 7 students.

 

Following are the most frequent responses for all students from Year 3 to 10.

 

1. Make jokes and keep us happy

2. Someone who treats every one of us the same

3. Encouraging

4. Gives free time when we deserve it

5. Don’t get off track of what they are talking about

6. Helpful and cares about us

7. Let us have our say

8. When they don’t get angry and yell at the top of their voice

9. They treat you how they want to be treated

10. Someone who you can feel comfortable with

11. No favouritism

12. Supportive

13. Someone who will take the time to help you if you don’t understand something

14. Only give lunchtime detentions or punish disruptive students, not the whole class

15. Give less boring homework and assignments 

 

 

TOP 15 RESPONSES FOR YEAR 7

 

1. Can help students improve

2. Can control students in class

3. Can interest the whole class

4. Has a sense of humour and laughs

5. Can let little things slide

6. A teacher that understands and listens to us

7. Friendly and caring

8. Someone we can talk to

9. That’s organised and always ready

10. Who can give smarter people more advanced work

11. Someone who is nice

12. Someone we can feel comfortable with

13. Someone who supports us in whatever we do

14. Let’s us into the room when we need to

15. Someone that is easy to understand

 

 

“ Kids don’t care what we know till they know we care” Anon