Many factors determine a teacher’s professional success or failure. A teachers performance is critiqued in many ways, such as building an effective curriculum, student growth, how well they relay their lessons to their students, and sometimes how well they fit into the culture of a school. Even though fitting into a school’s culture may seem like its not important but it really is; teachers want to thrive in a social environment that accepts them for who they are. We want to make sure teachers are allowed to be themselves, learn from their mistakes, remain in their schools and grow. At Ei360, we have identified some successful traits and characteristics make them excel at what they do. Teacher success or failure depends on many factors and we know it takes practice. These traits are:

Do your students know you care?

Communication is key in any relationship, and this includes student-teacher relationships. Communicating clearly and effectively with students is crucial for teachers. The goal is to teach in a way that your students will be able to comprehend, so monitoring their success and accepting feedback from them can be helpful when learning how to tailor your lesson plans to their individual needs. Each student is different, and they’ll learn differently. Being able to find ways to interpret and offer clarity will make them feel like you’re invested in their success (Kini & Podolsky, 2016). It will also make a lasting effect on your students.

What systems do you have in place for classroom mentorship

Being a teacher isn’t all about teaching, we do so much more. Our students look up to us; being a positive role model and mentor is essential. Encouraging mutual respect and openness in your classroom can make a huge difference in how successful your students will become. By being the type of teacher, they feel like they can openly ask what they might think are silly questions, and especially never making them feel incompetent when they ask is critical. A safe and accepting place to learn provides a fruitful experience, and it goes a long way when making students feel comfortable in your classroom. 

Are you Classroom Savvy

Being able to read the room is essential, but I bet they didn’t include a psychology class in your curriculum. It’s something you pick up on overtime as well as SMART goals. The more students you interact with, the easier it becomes to understand their underlying tones. What’s most important is to notice when a particular student is struggling or when they seem less enthusiastic than usual. There is no need to jump to conclusions over something trivial, we all have bad days or hard times comprehending certain subjects, but if it’s ongoing, it may be something you need to address with your student and maybe even their parents (Mupa, et al. 2009).

How is your classroom management

Learning how and when to discipline students can be tricky, especially if you’re a new teacher. Trying to be creative while introducing new concepts takes a lot of work. It can be intimidating knowing you’re the one who is supposed to remain in control, and how to do it can be awkward in certain situations. Giving tough love is tough because everyone perceives it differently, so be sure that it doesn’t come off as belittling or degrading when you need to be a little harsh. There is a happy medium between being on a power trip and being able to maintain control in your classroom. Be authoritative but understanding. We’re all people, we all have off days, and we all make mistakes, especially children. 

How are you differing expectations

It’s crucial to realize that all your students are different. They aren’t going to excell at the same pace or even sometimes with the same lessons. You might find yourself tailoring a lesson plan to one particular student or asking them to hang back after class so you can have someone on one time to dive deeper into the subject. Having the patience to do this will make you a great teacher (Watson, 2015). 

 References

 Kini, T., & Podolsky, A. (2016, June 3). Does teaching experience increase teacher effectiveness? A review of the research. Learning Policy Institute. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/does-teaching-experience-increase-teacher-effectiveness-review-research?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgvaL092s9wIVwh-tBh2U2gRmEAAYAyAAEgJ1C_D_BwE 

Mupa, et al. (2015). Factors contributing to ineffective teaching and learning in primary schools: Why are schools in decadence? Journal of Education and Practice, 6(19). Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1079543.pdf

Watson, E. (2015, September 17). Many factors determine good and effective teaching. Diverse. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://www.diverseeducation.com/students/article/15097158/many-factors-determine-good-and-effective-teaching