Characteristics Of An Effective Teacher

No two teachers are alike, each of us has to work to find our own style, but it seems that there are some characteristics that all effective teachers share while ineffective teachers tend to repeatedly make the same mistakes. This is not a black or white situation, you are not labeled as effective or ineffective and then written off until you make a big change; there is a spectrum of effectiveness. Each day is a new chance to have an impact, an opportunity to put together the puzzle that is our students’ education, and some days might be easier than others. There isn’t a magic formula or a definite path to being an effective teacher, there is simply advice. It takes a blend of many qualities to be a truly effective teacher who has a lasting

Constant Learner – “[Effective teachers] continue to learn, and from their fund of knowledge they make choices about each appropriate strategy they should use” (p. 17). Teachers that seek out professional development opportunities and strive to apply what they learn to the classroom are constantly growing and learning new ways to improve student achievement. They are willing to listen to, collaborate and learn from their colleagues as well as their students. They also critically analyze their own performance and learn from their mistakes to continue to improve throughout their career.

4. Strives to be Better – “A professional teacher will still be ‘learning to do it better’ the day she or he retires” (p. 30). Teachers who are constantly learning have the continued desire to be better. They are always looking for ways grow and regularly explore new and better teaching strategies. New research, tools and technology that can be brought into the classroom to make for a better, more effective environment is readily available and teachers who recognize and take advantage of these opportunities continue to improve throughout their career and have the greatest impact on their

Group Interaction – “The effective teacher knows how to bring the class to order quickly, explain rules and procedures, find out important information about the students and let them know what to expect in the coming days” (p. 8). Teachers who exhibit good group interaction are able to control the class. More than that, they are able to stimulate and direct class discussions in ways that encourage independent thinking and the appreciation of outside views. They can gauge whether or not the class is following the material and are able to sense students’ motivation and play to them to increase comprehension. They use humor and wit to connect with students and keep them engaged even during the less lively