What type of a teacher (in your school or class) is your favorite?

@laydee (12798)
Philippines
January 26, 2010 8:12am CST
Or simply put. What characteristic did you like about your teacher or professor in school? I am teaching college level this year and would want to know what type of teacher do you respect or the type that you'd like to have. Just to see if I could make my students interested enough to listen to what I have to say.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
17 May 10
I think that of all the teachers that I had during my life, the characteristic of them that I respected the most was patience. I had teachers throughout the years that seemed to be somewhat lacking in patience and that was quite difficult for me. However, the greatest majority of the teachers were very patient. They were able to deal with people that were on a variety of different levels and they were able to help each and every different student to succeed.
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@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
14 Oct 10
I think you learn patience as you go through life. However, it's also that sometimes when we've been doing the same things over and over again we tend to be burned out and eventually we lose the patience or tolerance for imperfection. I did have many patient teachers when I was in school. Though there were some who absolutely loved tormenting students. Perhaps it's their way of feeling that they're 'all powerful', perhaps in their real lives they're just ordinary and unappreciated.
• United States
31 Jan 10
Hi, Laydee! I think one of the reasons I love teaching is that I really care about my students. I insist that they learn what they're intended to learn, and that the rules must be enforced. But I also take an honest interest in each of them as a human being. I teach high school seniors most of the time, but it's the same way when I teach college or graduate school classes. This isn't anything you can plan to do or fake in any way. It's just part of your make-up or it isn't. You have to know all you can about your subject, but be flexible enough to look up anything about which you're unsure -- doing that with the students is a great way for you both to learn, and to forge a strong bond. And you have to care about each of them...
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@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
21 May 10
This isn't anything you can plan to do or fake in any way. Oh exactly. I know that the students could feel and sense that you're faking hehehe...
• United States
26 Jan 10
At the college level I like a teacher that has a certain ease, comfort with his/her subject. Body language, tempo, sense of humor, timber of your voice, all come together to show confidence(even if you have to fake it at first). That translates to students that are more receptive because you obviously know what you're talking about, right? Also, if you are teaching a subject that is a little obscure, or unpopular (say mathematics) try to make lessons relevant to daily activities, or life experience. It makes the subject more user-friendly. You'll end up with students that rather than just regurgitating material, will actually learn and retain lessons. Good Luck!
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@avimra (456)
• India
26 Jan 10
My favourite teacher for all time is my sixth standard Geography teacher. Her name is Vinodhini. She is kind and treat all the students without any partiality. Once, I did a mistake(don want to mention). But she didnt give me any punishment for that and leave that with a smile. I became that teacher's pet after that.
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@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
21 May 10
Hehehhee.. I guess it boils down to attitude and maturity really. But there are really times when someone just ticks you off regardless what he/she is or isn't doing.
• United States
26 Jan 10
I think patience, wisdom and understanding is the most valuable traits, first. After that, a wealth of knowledge on their subject and to be well versed in the material they teach, wether it's that day or year 'round... nothing's less effective than a teacher who's lost without an answer book. Thirdly, being worldly enough to provide outside-the-box and off-topic examples to support their discussions and the merits of their subject, and answer questions that can lead to tangential conversation to make the mind curious, challenging, questioning and inquisitive.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
21 May 10
There are good points in your post. Thank you.
• Philippines
17 May 10
I like teachers who are quite concerned with their students..Some teachers just teach and teach then receive their payments but then they do not care about whether their students learn or not..Every student is different..There may be fast-learners and not-so-fast learners as well..I like a teacher who puts himself/herself into the shoes of his/her student then try to feel what that student feels and eventually coming up with a good idea on how to teach that student effectively..I believe that whether a student will learn or not will greatly(but not solely) depend on how the teacher relies information..Each student have different teaching styles that suits them..
• United States
26 Jan 10
That sounds great, teaching is a wonderful profession, even if its just teaching life lessons. I would find out what my students liked so that I could have a connection with them. Anybody can give out information but to be able to help apply that information is where we all excell in life. Don't tell them everything about you at first, let them discover you while you discover them. Journal your days so you can help them remember times they bloomed.
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@cintoy (1011)
• Indonesia
27 Jan 10
i really like teacher/lecturer who is strict but care with the students, fair, consistent, commitment and have wide experience. So he didn't explain lessons through book language but by experience language. It makes lesson moreinteresting and much more easier to understand.
• United States
26 Jan 10
I miss my maternal-esque kindergarden teacher Ms. Watts, she was a nice old lady. She saw potential in me and in my ability to draw. I loved to draw as a kid, still do as an adult. As I got older my interests somewhat sifted but I never lost the gift. She believed that I was going to be somebody someday. I know I was just five years-old and that you're suppose to be nice to young children, but you can usually tell the good kids from the bad kids. And you can see the one's who have special gifts and a teacher is suppose to encourage that talent, especially at tender ages such as five. Those are the type of teacher's I like. I transferred from that school in 3rd grade (around 25, 26 years ago). From time to time I still wonder what ever happened to Ms. Watts?