Habits of an Effective Teacher

admin 29, Jul 2019

Teachers who are really passionate about teaching are often the kinds who are most effective at the job. A teacher should intend to be an inspiration to others. This is the kind of a teacher that every student in a school would love to have. They are the kinds of teachers that the kids remember for all their lives.

So what are the habits of most effective teachers? Let us take a look at a few of the top among them.

  1. Enjoy what they do

Teaching is more productive when it is enjoyable

Characteristically, teaching is a field that is very rewarding and enjoyable, even though it becomes demanding and tiring at times.

One must only take the call at becoming a teacher if he or she genuinely loves children. If you do not have fun with kids, they are not going to enjoy themselves either. Reading instructions from a textbook is not sufficient. The lessons should be interactive and lively. They must be made to be as engaging as possible. Teaching works best if it is enjoyed as an activity.

  1. Bring about a change

When one is entrusted with power, responsibility comes as a part and parcel of the package. It is something that a teacher must be deeply aware of.

As a teacher, the goal of the professional is likely to be to bring about a difference in students’ life. A very important way to go about it is to make them feel special and secure when they are in your classroom. One must attempt to be the positive influence in student’s life.

It is difficult to be aware of what students had been through before they came to the classroom on any particular day. Similarly, one may be unaware of the conditions they put up with upon leaving the classroom.

If the students do not find sufficient support when at home, they can find it in the classroom.

  1. Be Positive

A teacher must attempt to infuse positive energy within the classroom. It all starts with a smile.

As an individual, a teacher puts up a number of challenges in personal life as well. One must leave it all behind when one enters the classroom, and not let the frustration show.

Even while having a bad day, a teacher must mask it before the students. They should look up to their teacher as the superhero in their lives. One must come across as an individual who is smiling and happy, and always positive. Positive energy is contagious.

Connect at a deeper level

Keeping classrooms interactive helps connect with the students

A teacher should ideally know their students in detail, and know their interests as well. This lets them forge a deeper bond with the students. A friendly bond is nurtured when you share your own interests with the students.

As a teacher gets to know each of the students individually, he comes to recognize their learning styles as well. This puts the teachers in a position to impart individual attention to the students.

It is best if the teacher makes an attempt to know kids’ parents as well. Just as the session begins, a teacher should let the students know that they can contact him at any time for any issue.

One must also know one’s colleagues well and comes to figure out a positive support network, both within and outside the school.

  1. Be dedicated

Dedication is very important irrespective of what a teacher does, be it giving lessons, making report cards or rendering support for a colleague. A teacher must do it well, and not because he feels an obligation for doing it.

This nurtures self growth and inspires others. It will help the students learn maximum from what you teach them. For everyone who believes in them, be it students, colleagues or the school, a teacher must deliver 100%.

  1. Be organized

One must try and make sure that one never lags behind in taking care of assignments such as filing or marking student’s work. It is best to do it on time.

If such assignments are finished on time, they do not pile up. This helps in the long run.

One must also plan ahead and teach accordingly. Last minute lessons do not deliver the desired results.

Keep a journal handy. It helps with the planning. Jot down the ideas and put them into action.

  1. Be open minded

A teacher comes across avenues wherein he is observed either formally or informally. So it helps to be dedicated at all times.

Even in the face of criticism, one must be positive. Form a plan of action and implement it. This would help others recognize that you are the effective teacher that others perceive you to be.

A teacher must understand that no one is perfect. Others may see areas of improvement that one fails to see by themselves.

  1. Set standards

One must set standards for one’s students and oneself, and stick to them. They must know from the start that what is acceptable and what is not.

As an example, a teacher must let the students know how they would want the work to be completed. A teacher should be the kind who inspires the students to give in their best efforts. But when one expects the best, one must also deliver the best.

  1. Be Creative

A teacher must be creative, but it does not imply that he must initiate all things from the scratch. It is okay to find inspiration from many sources, be it Facebook, YouTube, blogs or Instagram.

  1. Welcome change

There are times wherein things do not go as planned, and teaching is no different. When change occurs, be flexible to accept it and move with the flow. Change must not come across as something that must be opposed. It must instead be welcomed.

  1. Reflect on your work

In order to enhance your teaching capabilities, one must reflect on his work. Take time out access the things that went well, and the ones that did not. Figure out things that you would do differently the next time over.

Failures are bound to happen in the process, but they too must be seen as opportunities to learn. It is an ongoing process.