How can a teacher touch hearts, affect or even change lives forever. There are a few
characteristics or traits that can make the difference and lead to success.
" What does it mean
to be a great teacher? Of course credentials, knowledge, critical thinking, and
all other faculties of intelligence are important. However, a great teacher
should be much more than credentials, experience and intelligence.
What lies in the heart of a great teacher?
You are kind: a great teacher shows kindness to students, colleagues, parents and those
around her/him. My favourite saying is “kindness makes the world go around”. It
truly changes the environment in the classroom and school. Being a kind teacher
helps students feel welcomed, cared for and loved.
You are compassionate: Teaching is a very humanistic profession, and
compassion is the utmost feeling of understanding, and showing others you are
concerned about them. A compassionate teacher models that characteristic to the
students with her/his actions, and as a result students will be more open to
understanding the world around them.
You are empathetic: Empathy is such an important trait to have and to try to develop in
ourselves and our students. Being able to put yourself in someone’s shoes and
see things from their perspective can have such a powerful impact on our
decisions and actions.
You are positive: Being a positive person, is not an easy task. Being a positive
teacher is even harder when we’re always met with problems with very limited
solutions. However, staying positive when it’s tough can have such a tremendous
positive impact on the students and everyone around us. Looking on the bright
side always seems to help make things better.
You are a builder: A great teacher bridges gaps and builds relationships, friendships, and a
community. Teachers always look to make things better and improve things in and
outside of the classroom. Building a community is something a great teacher
seeks to do in the classroom and extends that to the entire school and its
community.
You inspire: Everyone looks at a great
teacher and they want to be a better teacher, they want to be a better student,
even better, they want to be a better person. A great teacher uncovers hidden
treasures, possibilities and magic right before everyone’s eyes."
