We all had that one teacher who made a big difference in our lives and who we still think about today, no matter how old we are. Some of the things they taught us went beyond the classroom and became part of how we live every day, how we act, how we treat others, and the ethical values we stand for.
What are some of the things that make a teacher inspiring and different from the rest? Read on for some information about this and about how you can be an inspirational teacher yourself.
Take Risks
There will be instances when you will feel that it is simpler to play it safe in the classroom rather than take any chances. However, this may result in pupils losing interest in the process of learning and becoming disengaged. When you are teaching, you shouldn’t be scared to try new things or take chances because this is what your pupils will remember and take away from your classes. Your ability to be innovative in the classroom directly correlates to the amount of growth that can occur within your student body. It is, in a word, good.
Take Notice Of Your Students’ Interests
If you want your students to be happy and maybe even excited about going to school every day and being ready to learn, you can talk to them about their interests and hobbies. You could even use them as part of a lesson or as a way to talk to even the shyest kids.
The kids who are most excited about school are the ones who will learn and remember the most. If you can make sure that everyone in your class wants to be there as much as possible, you will help them a lot with their education now and in the future. As you probably already know, a love of learning never really goes away.
When you pay attention to your students and get to know them as people, they will start to trust and respect you. This will make them more willing to learn from you, and you will be able to inspire them through your teaching.
Be Passionate
Teachers who are inspiring don’t just stop their work when class is over. In fact, they live and breathe their subject, and they would gladly work longer hours if it meant they could teach more students.
The best teachers share their passion with their students, which helps them look at the subject in a new way and see things from a different point of view. Some students who were moved by what they learned went on to become teachers, and so the positive cycle continues.
Be A Good Communicator
Communication skills are the one of the most important things an inspiring teacher needs to have. Effective communication is the foundation of good relationships that people remember. Teachers need to be able to communicate well with their students in order to build a relationship with them and make them feel like they can trust the teacher. For the goal of teaching itself, you must have good communication skills.
As a teacher, you should be able to communicate effectively through speech, writing, visuals, and body language. You should also be able to translate ideas into structures that students can understand.
A teacher must be able to explain the class’s curriculum in a way that is clear and easy for the students to understand so the students will know exactly what is expected of them. They will also know when certain homework tasks or assignments are due, which will help them do the work well. If a student doesn’t fully understand what is expected of them or how to do a task or assignment, it is very important for the teacher to explain it as best as they can. Plus, being an inspirational teacher means that if a student isn’t sure about something, they will be willing to ask questions – that’s crucial, and it leads us to our next point about listening.
Listen Well
To be an inspirational teacher, you have to make sure your students listen to you and that you listen to and pay attention to them by answering all of their questions. The value of listening comes from the fact that it helps you understand your students better.
One of the keys to being a good teacher is being able to understand your students. This helps you figure out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to teaching specific students and your group of students as a whole; you can be more of an inspiration if you tap into what each individual needs – and give it to them. Each student is different and has their own way of expressing himself or herself. A teacher can improve the way they talk to their students by asking them open-ended questions and paying close attention to what they have to say. Teachers can make a stronger, healthier, and more positive learning environment for their students if they are good listeners.
Genuinely Care For Your Students
Teachers that are inspirational care about their students beyond the results that their students are capable of achieving. They go out of their way to assure the students’ wellbeing by checking in on them from time to time and going to great lengths to do so.
Teachers that are intuitive may even be able to detect when one of their pupils is having difficulties at home and provide assistance in finding a solution to the problem. Motivating teachers can therefore serve as a guiding light for pupils who are going through difficult times.
You Have A Friendly Demeanor
One of the most important things a good teacher needs to have is a friendly attitude. By being friendly to your students, you make yourself easier to talk to, and this will make students more likely to want to learn. If students think you’re easier to talk to, they’ll be more likely to ask you questions. This will improve communication between students and teachers and make the classroom a better place to learn. Most of the time, the best teachers are open, friendly, and welcoming, but most importantly, they feel safe when students come to them.
A sense of trust will make it easier for people to talk to each other in the learning environment and make them more productive. For students to do their best work, they need to feel at ease in their learning space. By being friendly, you help people feel at ease and trust you, which can really take your teaching to the next level. If you want to be remembered as an inspiring teacher, the most crucial thing you can do is maintain a positive and approachable demeanor.
You Are Patient
There is no profession where patience is more valued than that of a teacher. Dealing with children is not always easy, therefore it helps to project an air of friendliness. A student’s teacher should be someone they can feel safe confiding in, especially if they are having difficulty with their studies. It’s also important for a teacher to have the patience to listen to and understand the student’s situation, as different problems call for different approaches.
Having patience is also necessary while dealing with a large class. It’s possible that a class of elementary school pupils might be more challenging to manage, but the best way to deal with them would be to be patient and friendly no matter what happens. Your students will start to understand that you act differently – perhaps better – than some other adults in their life, and they might try to emulate you, or at least listen to you more.
You Do Unconventional Things
Do you still remember the instructor who, in order to illustrate a point, had the whole class stand on the tables and hold hands with one another? Or the one who took the class on an unplanned field trip to help bring the concepts that they had been learning to life?
Inspiring teachers are those who shake up the status quo and the curricula by injecting their classes with a healthy dose of whimsy and the element of surprise. This not only keeps their pupils on their toes but also produces lessons that stand out in their memories and have a positive influence in the long run.
You’re Enthusiastic
There’s no reason to do anything if you’re only going to do it halfway. A good teacher loves everything about their job. This is especially important for students, because seeing how excited their teacher is will make them want to learn more and work harder. Positivity breeds more positivity, so it’s important to give young people a happy place to grow.
Parents will also love a teacher who is excited about their job. It’s a huge plus if parents can tell that their child is being taught by someone who loves what they do. It also makes people trust the school and have faith that it hires good people, and they can certainly be an inspiration.
This post was submitted by Simone Devonshire.
