How To Become a Good Teacher

What does it mean to be a teacher? 

Being teachers, we know that all knowledge and credentials are significant but still not enough to have. 

What makes us great teachers is… our hearts. What is in your heart that makes you the best teacher for your students? 

Nobody's perfect. 

Teachers know that every student has their personal learning style, and that is why it's impossible to become perfect for them all, implementing your teaching style in a classroom. But when your teaching and their learning styles fit, you will become your students' best teacher ever.

It's like singing from the same hymnbook. 

The more students in your classroom, the more difficult to become a good one for all of them. 

But you can always try, can't you?

These seven tricks will help you understand your students better and become the best teacher for them.

So, get ready to accept the challenge.

Be Empathetic

“When I am in depression, it's hard to concentrate on study and assignments my teacher gives me. I'm not a fiddler or procrastinator, but I just need more time to deal with problems and go back to tests, homework, grades, etc. It would be nice if my teacher saw or felt it somehow to understand my mood.” (Justin, 16)

Don't hurry up to argue your students if you see they have suddenly started to study worse. You don't know the reason, after all. If you see someone in your class is depressed or can't concentrate, try to find out what happens and ask if you can help. 

Be Friendly

But don't go too far. 

“It's cool when a teacher understands us and tries to become our friend. On the other hand, it sounds… well, weird a bit when a teacher behaves like one of us, using our slang words or telling some stupid jokes. Mr. Collins, my 56-year-old teach of Math, does like this. It's like… you know, meh…” (Lori, 14)

Being friendly with your students is good, but always remember who you are. They will not take your infantile behavior seriously, considering you unprofessional and even rude, which doesn't work for the US education system improvement. 

Use Time Wisely

“It kills when a teacher tells about his kids, pets, or better times he lived when he was younger. Yeah, we all know that times were better, the grass was greener, and students were more serious in the 20th century! Blah-blah-blah… But we come to a class to learn something not travel back in time. Sorry, Mrs. Banner!” (Jason, 21)

Your students attend lessons to learn something, so don't give them a reason to miss your class next week. Time is significant for your students too, and that is why they won't be happy to waste it on listening to something disregarding the subject. 

Get Them Interested

“I am sure that every subject can be interesting, even higher math! The problem is not with subjects but teachers who can't get us interested in what they teach.” (Lucy, 17)

For students to remember your lessons, try to tie the information with some aspects from their life. Use them as examples for students to understand what you are telling and how it can help them in everyday life or future. 

Be Strict

“When Ms. Kirst first came into our classroom, I was disappointed: she was so soft and mild… I didn't understand how she was going to make us listen to her and believe the facts she said. She is more like a girl who needs a daddy to mop tears from her face. Sorry, but she is not a guru for me.” (Lucas, 20)

It doesn't mean you should be a dictator, but don't be TOO nice. We all watched those movies about rude high school students who didn't listen to teachers and told them to go to hell with their boring and needless subjects; and the fact is, such students exist in real life, too.

So, stay consistent. Don't make a kind of Okay-face memes; otherwise, your students will not respect you. 

Be an Example to Follow

“My teacher brings organic food, and he always shares it with those without a lunch. We all were shocked to find out his age, as he looked much younger! Some of my friends even changed their minds about what they ate.” (Melissa, 15)

It's a great example of teachers who have a positive impact on their students. If you are one of such teachers, your students will thank you. 

Believe in Them! 

If you see a student uninterested in your subject, don't hurry up to ignore or argue him. Ask to explain what exactly he doesn't like and let him know you'll support him anyway. Don't hesitate to use modern tools and resources on your subject (math resources, language learning resources, biology resources, etc.) to get students interested.

It's significant for students to know their teacher is ready to support them. Be a kind of such educators – and you'll become the best teacher for your students. 

Anything else can you do?

• Be kind: it will help your students feel cared and loved. Do you know the saying “Kindness makes the world go around”? Trust me, your kindness can change the environment in your classroom for better. 
• Be a builder: strong relationships and friendships with your students and colleagues always make things better. Build a community to bridge gaps and improve moods in your classroom. 
• Be inspiring: when they see a great teacher, they want to be better students. Uncover their hidden possibilities, inspire them to discover new things, and they'll see you as a person who makes them better persons, not just students who get high grades for assignments.
• Be positive: it's not as easy as it seems, especially when you have to deal with problems that have limited solutions. But being positive teachers, you'll have positive impacts on students and make things better.
• Be passionate: try not only motivating students to learn but teach them how to learn. Have a passion for your work, and try conveying it to your students.