What makes a good teacher?

30 November 2021

What makes a good teacher? They’re such a significant part of our lives - they can make or break our academic careers and futures. We all want a good teacher. But what makes a “good teacher”?

I spoke to some fellow students and asked what they believe makes a good teacher.

A common response was that it is vital that teachers listen to students. We, students, constantly hear that we must pay attention to what the teachers are saying in class, but shouldn’t that go both ways? It’s beneficial for teachers to listen to their students as their advice could improve their teaching style or could help them to better understand what specific students need to be able to achieve the best they can.

Another response was that a good teacher has balance. Classwork and homework must be balanced as piling on assignments and assessments won’t help students. It will simply force them to rush all their work just to get it done in time. When done constantly, this can cause burnout and will damage students academically and mentally.

Finally, students find mutual respect and understanding essential in a good teacher. For us to respect a teacher, we must also feel respected. To be treated like a child or brat doesn’t improve our learning experience nor does it make us listen to a teacher. Instead, it creates an unhealthy environment in which we don’t have motivation or fulfilment from learning. So rather than constantly and unnecessarily berating pupils, a respectful and understanding approach makes a truly good teacher.

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