10 things good teachers do differently

From the perspective of a student.

James Lacaille is a student at St Paul’s School in London and has offered to share his thoughts with us below.

If I think back to some of the best teachers I’ve had at school so far, I remember most the person who taught me as opposed to what they taught me. In this piece, I’m going to run through what I think are the 10 most important traits that these teachers share.

1. They bring the subject to life

Good teachers know how to keep restless students engaged. Whether it’s a politics teacher talking about Brexit or a maths teacher relating probability to predicting football match outcomes, the best teachers relate the material they teach to everyday situations and current events. This keeps students engaged, listening and ready to learn.

2. They understand their students

We’ve all had teachers who go on and on, as if they are talking to themselves, seemingly unaware that there are other people in the room. Soon enough, students loose focus and forget there is a teacher in the room. This creates a situation where both student and teacher are unengaged, which is good for neither party.

3. They listen to their students

The best teachers I’ve had all take the time to seek feedback from students regarding what they find helpful and what could be improved. All students are different, and good teachers take the time to understand how best to teach each new class they have.

4. They have endless energy

Good teachers are upbeat, positive and full of energy. These qualities are all contagious and transfer onto the students they teach. Students feel ready to tackle any question they are faced with! This is one of main determinants of whether I look forward to a lesson or not.

5. They have a sense of humour

While teachers don’t have to be comedians, having a sense of humour is one of the most important traits a good teacher can have. Humour diffuses stressful situations and makes learning more enjoyable. Thinking back to my own teachers, the ones I learn the most from are also the funniest (even if their jokes aren’t always the best!).

6. They take advantage of technological innovation

Good teachers know how to use technology in the classroom. Even something as simple as writing class notes electronically and then uploading them after class can have a huge impact on how much students learn. It also means that if students miss a class or two they can easily review what was covered and don’t fall behind when they’re ill or out of school for other reasons.

7. They are always learning

Whether they’re finding out what works in the classroom from current students or conducting new research into their subject area, good teachers are constantly learning. This boundless hunger for knowledge not only helps them master their craft but also shows students that learning does not stop once they leave the classroom.

8. They go beyond the syllabus

While teachers should definitely cover the syllabus, the best teachers go beyond what is mandated by the school. By taking concepts one or two steps further, teachers show students the importance of what they are learning in the context of the wider world. For example, a maths teacher at my school recently explained linear equations by showing us how they can be used to make helpful predictions like the one below:

If a Christmas Fair spends £300 in initial start up costs and earns £200 per month in sales, the linear equation y = 200x — 300 can be used to predict profits from month to month.

9. They are emotionally supportive

Good teachers know that their students are facing multiple challenges as they grow up and mature. They take the time to understand each one of their students and offer to listen to their problems even if they are not directly related to the subject they teach.

10. They’re patient

Teaching is one of the few jobs where one doesn’t get constant, immediate feedback. Trying out a new teaching method or technique? You’ll only know if it worked after months of tracking students’ performance and ultimately how they perform in public exams at the end of the year.

What do you think are some other traits of good teachers? Let us know!

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