What Makes Me An Outstanding Teacher?

Reflective. Outstanding teachers take time to reflect on their own practice and on student learning, asking themselves questions and really seeking to find the answers. Part of being reflective is using data to inform future teaching, really wrestling with the numbers and information we get from students about their learning so that we can modify our instruction to best suit their needs.

The most important qualities of an outstanding educator are thoughtfulness, patience, adaptability, and creativity. A thoughtful educator cares about the whole child academically, emotionally, and socially. In this aspect the educator continually strives to best meet the need of their students.

An outstanding teacher is the master of content knowledge. Every outstanding teacher has the following qualities in order to success in teaching: professionalism, flexibility, availability, concern, respect and mastery of content knowledge.

Just because someone is a great nurse, does not mean they are a great nursing educator. I believe the greatest qualities of an outstanding educator are passion, patience, flexibility, and the willingness for personal and professional growth.

There are many attributes that I believe define and comprise the qualities in an outstanding teacher in today’s classrooms. First, outstanding teachers know their students. By knowing each student, a teacher is able to plan and implement instruction in a way that is meaningful to each individual. Outstanding teachers are proactive. Behavior is reduced and instructional time increased through proactive practices such as teaching routines and providing student supports. Outstanding teachers collect and use student data frequently to help meet student needs and increase meaningful instructional time. Supportive communication is another essential skill to be an outstanding teacher. An outstanding teacher effectively collaborates and communicates

Describe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including your own ideas of what makes you an outstanding teacher.

An outstanding teacher is a role model to students and should lead by example. It’s important for students to feel cared for and respected as individuals. By treating students fairly and listening to them, teachers show they respect them as individuals. Students learn best in a learning environment where they feel safe, where they are able to engage in learning and where the teacher has high expectations. Outstanding teachers accommodate their students’ academic, social,

There are countless theories and examples of what makes an outstanding teacher, Geoff Petty states “good teachers are not born, nor are they made by tutors. They make themselves. What’s more, anyone can teach well. Research shows that there is no personality type that makes a good teacher.”(Petty, 2010, p.516). Lowell Milken argues “the most direct and enduring way to reach the mind and imagination of the learner is through the mind, imagination and personal character of the outstanding teacher”. (Merrow, 2009).

4 weeks, 6 classroom observations, 10 teaching practices, 2 conversation facilitations, 1 one v. one private teaching session, multiple homework assignments, and numerous lesson plans later - all totaling to 140+ hours of hard work - and here I am at the finish. This is experience was demanding and challenging to say the least, in a positive way. I learned so much and experienced the EFL teaching world first-hand. I played on my strengths as an educator and worked through my weakness to grow. I discovered teaching approaches that I could use to my advantage, as well as evolved my classroom control and rapport with students.

I have always been told that my traits and personality would be great for being a teacher. Based on my personality, I would have to agree. To start off, I am a great listener. When being a teacher, you want your students to know that you respect their needs and questions, and a good way to do that is to show that you care by listening. When children know that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say then you have created a trusting and safe environment for them. Being a good listener also requires patience as well, which is something I am very good at. Next, I have to say I am very funny and enthusiastic. Just from being a nanny, I can tell that children love to be around people who have those qualities. I have also witnessed both unenthusiastic teachers and enthusiastic teachers, and the teachers who show excitement and passion are usually the most successful. Showing enthusiasm not only keeps students entertained and happy, but also it engages them and makes them interested in the subject or topic you are trying to teacher. Also, staying positive is another trait that is necessary for a teacher to have, and is one that I too have. I always look at every situation as a positive one, even if it is hard to find the positive in a situation. Lastly, being kind, caring, and loving are all necessary traits for teachers to have, that I too have been told over and over again that I hold.

A world without education is a world without knowledge. Teachers play a significant role in educating the uneducated because it is a rewarding profession. However, it can only be done if there is dedication, passion, and determination. These are the key factors that separate a great teacher from a “mediocre” teacher. A “mediocre” teacher enjoys his or her work and is satisfied with their work. Meanwhile a great teacher is constantly adding and changing their teaching methods to accommodate the needs of each student. One of the articles that we have read over the course of this semester, states, “…Great teachers, he concluded, constantly reevaluate what they are doing” (Amanda and Ripley). When I was doing my research a common theme that came up was the fact that teacher need to constantly evaluate their teaching methods. It is crucial for teachers to constantly reevaluate their methods and to accommodate the new changes that are constantly occurring in the world. For example as technology advances teachers need to have the skills to add technology into their teaching methods.

As humans, we live by our own philosophies or ways of life. Different experiences and obstacles construct the philosophies which we live by. Philosophies include one’s own values and beliefs. As a teacher, developing one’s own philosophy plays a major role in creating structure within the classroom. Meanwhile, personal values shape a teacher. A teacher’s philosophy impacts areas of curriculum organization, instructional delivery, classroom environment, and assessments.

The main thing that has shaped my philosophy is learning about misbehaviors and mistaken behaviors. Misbehaviors cause teachers to judge students while mistaken behaviors encourage teachers to find out what is causing the child to behave that way. When teachers recognize mistaken behaviors and are able to digest the problem, they can give their student strategies to deal with the behavior or the teacher can better understand how to handle the situation. Either way, using understanding and background knowledge is key to know how to handle mistaken behaviors. Just like adults are taught not the judge a book by a cover, we as teachers should not

One of my best qualities for teaching is my determination and patience. If something does not go to plan, I am disappointed for a moment, but I am quick to come up with a new plan to try. I think this will be especially useful in the classroom, especially since each day might not be a great day. I am confident that I will be able to take on the challenge and work to provide the best instruction possible for my students (even if it means foregoing my original plans!) I also think my patient attitude will be helpful in conjunction with my determination. Frequently changing plans and facing failures can be frustrating, for both the teacher and the students; but with patience and determination I feel that I will be able to take on the challenge. I also have high expectations, not only for my students, but for myself. I am constantly reflecting on how I can make myself a better educator, which I think will be extremely helpful for both me and my students in the long run.

A good teacher, at its base, has two main characteristics: A Solid, working knowledge of the content and a high intrapersonal intelligence. One without the other will result in a horrible teacher. If a teacher is an expert in their content but is incapable of relating and contenting with their students, they will not effectively teach. On the other hand, a teacher who is a “people person” and has a great relationship with their students, but doesn’t have a solid grasp of the content, will inevitably fail to teach effectively as well. A good teacher will have those two basic components. However, a ‘great’ teacher will have extreme patience, be encouraging, inspiring, a clear communicator, in tune with the emotions of their students and show genuine excitement for the content that they’re teaching. Students notice these things. Passion and excitement is contagious. The teacher mindset also goes a long way. For example, “empathize with kids, respect them and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon (Lieberman, Ann. Teachwithsimplicity.com).” Respecting, caring and believing in every student makes the quality of one’s teaching go from great to life-changing.