Traits of a Great Teacher

A teacher can come in many forms. Each and every experience in the life of a teacher will become part of his or her teaching philosophy. To reflect on traits that I personally consider to be that of an effective teacher, I will have to look at all levels of education. Many traits that children look for in a great teacher are similar or the same as traits adults look for. There are some traits that are more specific to the needs of adult learners as well. Based on my own experiences at various institutions, I will share the traits that teachers had, which I have tried to infuse into my own philosophy.

Personality

One theme within higher education that continues to permeate through many aspects of the classroom is a safe and inclusive environment. Effective teachers understand that the comfort level of students has an effect on how and when they learn. Both adults and children can be positively or negatively impacted by a cold or unfriendly environment. According to Merriam et al, 2007, when surveying students and asking what they can recall about positive aspects of their learning environment, they often cite well-organized, knowledgeable, and caring instructors who utilize useful materials and deliver well-crafted lectures (Merriam et al, 2007, p. 30). For me, organization is one of the most important traits of an effective teacher. I have had two different experiences with unorganized instructors, which can be frustrating. Eventually, you just tune them out and learning stops.

Smiling can be a simple, but welcoming act. When professors smile, students already feel some relief that the environment is welcoming and safe. In the online environment, it is important for a teacher to include a photo, so that students c...

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...l needs can be and will be met. However, I cannot say that I’ve ever encountered someone who claims to have had perfect teachers from pre-K through college with absolutely no bad experiences. The teaching profession is a learning process, but my favorite teachers at all levels of education had specific traits in common. These include a passion about their subject matter, an outgoing personality, a high level of organization, and punctuality. Above all, they were all fair and just in their teaching. I aim to adopt these traits and continue on my journey as a life-long learner.

Works Cited

Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., & Baumgartner, L. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Pope, R., Reynolds, A., & Mueller, J. (2004). Multicultural competence in student affairs (pp. 6-68). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.