Attributes of a good teacher

Authors Avatar by crob (student)

Education does not have a single purpose, and likewise, a ‘good’ teacher does not have a single attribute. The attributes of an effective teacher are varying depending on whom you ask the question. There has however been a list drawn up after speaking to a broad range of people; parents, school children, teachers, stating what I believe are some of the main attributes: be reflective with creative and critical thinking skills’, ‘committed to the learning and development of each child’, ‘have a passion for learning and deep understanding of and enthusiasm for their subject’, and ‘be keen to participate in their own personal learning and development’ (Donaldson, G. 2010). I also believe that it is essential that a teacher is firstly able to ‘plan and deliver a lesson which flows smoothly and holds pupils' attention’, (HMSO. 1989)  is knowledgeable and aware of discipline, and how to act and react appropriately before entering a classroom, and also plans or prompts questioning and talking often. These attributes are interlinked in promoting the goals of the Four Capacities of Curriculum for Excellence (Scottish Government) I believe that a teacher must have all of these qualities in a modern day primary classroom, where change and a broad range of subject area are prevalent in order to be effectual and for each individual child to reach their full potential.

Being reflective, with creative and critical thinking skills is closely linked to being keen to participate in your own learning and development. Both of these qualities speak about the teacher being an active learner and ‘thinker’ (Scottish Government), which are also both qualities that we want to develop in children. As set out in the four capacities, children should become ‘effective contributors’; ‘apply critical thinking and new contexts’ and ‘successful learners’; ‘enthusiasm and motivation for learning’ and ‘determination to reach high standards of achievement’. I believe that a teacher having these qualities, as well as the child enables there to be a level of respect and understanding between teacher and pupil, which is of course highly important in the classroom in order to have a safe, non-threatening positive learning environment. Through watching my peers during microteaching I have witnessed this and think that if the children can relate to their teacher and somehow feel that they are both in an open learning environment which is in turn less threatening, it promotes these aspects of the four capacities.

Arguably one of the most important traits of a ‘good’ teacher is having passion and enthusiasm, not only for teaching children but also for their subject. If we have passion for a subject, this naturally comes across to others, and inevitably inspires them to have a passion for it too. This is essential for education in general as being a teacher, you need to engage your pupils from the outset; excite them and make them want to learn, and they are aware of what they are learning. I had first-hand experience in watching my peers during microteaching and felt like their enthusiasm and eagerness to teach their lesson rubbed off on the children and they were more interested because of this, and in turn, more eager to learn and take part in the task.

Join now!

A teacher must be committed to the learning and development of each child in their care. I believe this can be done through a range of different manners, however to help develop, a child needs support. This is why I think that scaffolding is the one of the best approaches in order to support a child. Scaffolding originates in the work of Vygotsky, and means that ‘for learning to take place, appropriate social interactional frameworks must be provided. In the case of the young child learning language, the instructional component consists of the caregiver (normally the mother) providing a framework ...

This is a preview of the whole essay