BEST TEACHER DESCRIPTION

There are many characteristics, techniques, etc. that make for a successful teacher.
These may be as varied as the teachers themselves. However, there are certain
time-tested attributes, characteristics, and practices which contribute immensely to
teacher success. The following list contains items that students have used to
describe their best teachers.

1. Enthusiasm
• Students can feel the excitement
• Students easily detect the teacher's love for job and subject

2. Preparation
• Teacher knows the subject
• Teacher plans and prepares lessons daily

3. Punctuality
• Always arrives on time
• Begins and ends class on time
• Expects and encourages students to arrive on time

4. Support and concern for students

• Lets students know that he/she cares about their success
• Takes time with students
• Allows for creativity
• Is friendly and courteous
• Is supportive and encouraging
• Is smiling, caring and loving

5. Consistency
• Does not miss class
• Is consistent in attitude and dealings with students
• Is always well prepared to teach class

6. Politeness
• Treats students with respect
• Does not condescend
• Avoids embarrassing students in class
7. Firmness and control
• Is firm in a kind manner
• Avoids tangents in teaching

8. Does not play favorites

9. Provides personal help

• Takes time to explain concept
• Gives individual attention

10. Accepts individual differences

11. Employs an effective delivery

• Clarifies for understanding
• Creates a sense of fun with the learning task
• Eliminates bad, irritating and/or distracting habits

12. Does not make students lose face

•Avoids criticizing students

13. Has high expectations of class members

14. Is humble

15. Is fair

16. Uses variety

• Uses a variety of learning activities
• Experiments
• Allows for spontaneity

17. Has a sense of humor; is relaxed

18. Use of engaged time
• Sets a good pace and provides for a change of pace
• Avoids engaging students in "busy work"

19. Use of text

• Is not a slave to the text
• Uses text as a road map

20. Keeps within 1-2 days of the scheduled course outline

21. Field trips and other activities

• Applies student experiences to classwork

22. Does not always teach from a sitting or leaning position

23.Interpersonal relationships with students

• Does not allow students to call him/her by first name
• Does not try to win a popularity contest
• Maintains a healthy teacher-student relationship
• Respects students (remember that sometimes what you think is healthy, fun joking
with students may be interpreted by them as disapproval and dislike.)

24. Does not allow one or two students to monopolize or dominate the class

25. Keeps accurate records of

• Work completed
• Attendance
• Test results
• Grades

Additional Suggestions

1. Provide for activity changes - perhaps something not on the lesson plan; for
example, scrabble, hangman, pictionary.
2. Be somewhat unpredictable - Students will not know what comes next. Keep
students in some suspense.
3. Variety - In teaching, variety provides for renewed interest in the subject
matter. Use variety in how you have students work together. Do not always pair
the same ones together. Provide for a variety of learning activities. Some
suggestions are:

•Assignments •Brainstorming •Buzz sessions •General discussion •Panel discussion

•Problem-solving discussion •Music •Instructional games •Questioning and quizzes
•Reports and talks •Role playing •Worksheets •Demonstrations •Dramas •Storytelling
•General chalkboard use

• Chalkboard illustrations • Charts and maps • Displays and mobiles • Filmstrips

• Flannelboard • Flashcards • Motion pictures • Opaque projections • Overhead
transparency projections • Pictures, posters • Tape recordings • Video tape
recordings • Videodisk recordings • Videotaping class presentations or activities
• Guest appearances • Combined activities with another class.

4. Instant Involvement - Create a variety of instant involvement techniques that can

be used to capture students attention for what will be presented.
5. Give eye-to-eye contact.
6. Change teaching style for variety.
7. Pace - A change of pace is refreshing and helps students re-enter the learning
process.
8. Change of setting - At appropriate times it is stimulating and interesting to meet
in a different location or setting for a specific learning task.
9. Some "New Age" advice: Follow goodness, share kindness, ignore ignorance,
encourage laughter, discover miracles and don't judge.

Student Feedback
By Julie Madsen

I missed the day where a student panel from the ELC was asked some
questions about what makes a good teacher and what a good teacher should do in
some classroom situations. I contacted three students at the ELC and interviewed
them to find out their opinions. The three students I interviewed were Rika from
Japan, Humberto from Peru and Harike from Korea.
The first question I asked was who their favorite teacher was and why. They
all seemed to be pleased with all of their teachers but one of their favorites was
David Christiansen. They like him because of the comfortable atmosphere he creates
in his classroom. He apparently doesn't rush the students even when there is a push
for time (i.e.: the bell is about to ring and he hasn't done everything he wanted to).
It was interesting that the students would tune in to the fact that he had
more to say and do but was sensitive to the students' needs.
They also commented on classroom rapport. They like teachers that are
patient and kind. They also like it when humor is used in teaching. They felt relaxed
when their teacher would tell them funny things about American culture. Some of
their teachers have taught them jokes in English which they really enjoyed learning.
It seems to make them feel like they are more a part of the culture and "in" on the
humor going on around them.
Some other things they feel are important in the classroom environment are a
smile, the use of loud, clear speech, clear explanations, fun activities, etc. They also
appreciate good visual aides that keep their attention. One of the most important
things they think a teacher should keep in mind is a sensitivity to students' mistakes.
They feel good when a teacher takes time to help a student overcome their mistakes
through patient, clear instruction.
Some of the things that are challenges to them include the following:
1. teachers speaking too quickly especially at the end of class when class time is
running out
2. getting bored when a teacher is answering other students' questions
3. textbooks that are difficult to understand
4. other students talking out of turn
5. teachers not planning well and having to go overtime (not releasing the class at
the bell).
Interesting enough, the students also indicated that the teacher wasn't the only
person that sould work on problems. The students should share in the responsibility.

In conclusion here are some of the other words used in describing a good
teacher:

• interesting/fun • gives synonyms

• kind • always helps
• smiles • low pressure/not intimidating
• good explanations • kind spirit

June 29, 1998