LESSON - 5

Characteristics
of a Teacher
 Research on personality
characteristics
Weinstein (1989) conducted a study which
identified 10 personality characteristics good
teachers were thought to have (cited in
Brown & Rodgers, 2002:153).
Patience
High IQ
Warmth
Creativity
Ability to be humorous
Commitment to teaching
Good grades in college
Ability to relate to different types of people
Organizational skills
Outgoingness
Attitude Towards the Profession
Effective Ts recognize that teaching is
demanding
Exhibit a sense of pride
Collegial
Participate in communication
Serve as mentors
Assume leadership roles
Support other teachers
Their positive outlook leads to a
healthier work environment
Pivotal quality
Determines whether Ts want to
grow/develop
 Verbal Ability
Highly effective teachers must be good
communicators
Able to articulate ideas, issues, beliefs and values
about the art of teaching
Skilled at conflict resolution
Active emailer
Public speaking/presentation skills
Has a positive effect on student achievement
(Darling-Hammond, 2000; Haberman, 1995;
Hanushek, 1971)
it relates to how well a teacher conveys concepts
and skills to Ss (Darling-Hammond, 2001)
Ts must understand Ss; Ss must understand
what T is trying to communicate
Professional/Content Knowledge
Lots of disturbing research about the
deficiencies that teachers have
Old adage: those who can do; those
who cant teach
We believe that the right credentials and
sound professional knowledge are of
paramount importance to teaching
effectiveness
Credentials
Recognize the importance of PD

IT/Technology skills a must

Types of Knowledge Ts Must Have
Shulman (1987) identified seven
different kinds of knowledge that highly
effective teachers must have
Knowledge about:
Content
Broad principles and strategies of
classroom management and organization
Curriculum materials and programs

Teaching of particular content topics

Students

Educational contexts

Educational aims and values

Intercultural Competence
Success as a teacher does not depend
on the approach or method you follow
so much as on your integrity as a
person and the relationships that you
develop in the classroom (Byram, 1997)
Building and maintaining human
relationships is central to ICC

Ts need to be aware of their Ss

cultures; their environment; cultures
they bring to the classroom dynamic
 Lifelong learning
Current educational demands
require that Ts be continuous
learners.
Ts can develop in various ways.
Subscribe to ELT journals/magazines
Join professional organizations

Attend PD events at all levels

Conduct action research

Publish their lessons and professional

work