Qualities of a Good Teacher - Sometimes Easier Said Than Done

After taking the online quiz "Qualities of a Good Teacher," I found that many of my answers corresponded with those given by others from across the country who have provided their answers. I think most people would agree that it is very important for a teacher to have a strong knowledge of subject material, be motivating and inspiring, and to be reflective and introspective; even individuals who would be considered to be "bad" teachers would agree on this. However, actually doing and being all these things for your students takes a lot more time and effort than one might initially think. Many outsiders have this idea that all teachers do is stand in front of the classroom and dictate information, and that anyone can easily do their jobs. However, as many experienced teachers know, this is not the case at all. It takes a lot more than having a strong knowledge in a content area to effectively teach students. A teacher must be able to relate to the students and present the information in a manner that appeals to their individual background knowledge and experiences. This requires teachers to have, at least to some degree, a sense of humor to relate to the students, the ability to manage student behavior to keep them on task and focused, and the ability to motivate and inspire them so that they can reach their fullest potential. Unfortunately, instruction based around these attributes is often avoided due to the time and effort a teacher must put in to effectively implement them. When I become a teacher, I hope to get a running start and come into my classroom already prepared for the hard work that is involved with being an effective teacher, striving to exhibit the attributes discussed in this blog post and quiz from the very beginning.