There are certain ways a teacher functions and that’s what makes them an effective teacher. Teachers have their own style of working with students such listening to their needs, challenging them, getting to know them and being positive. These are just some basic characteristics of a great teacher that students and parents love. Do you want to know more great abilities of a teacher? Here let’s look at extra outstanding abilities to boost your potential in a teacher.
Always Listen to Parent and Student
Another great ability of outstanding teachers is listening to parents and students concerns. Parents and students feel that teachers don’t listen to them or would make judgments which puts them off talking to teachers. It is important to take time to listen whether you agree or disagree; you need to be able to listen to their worries without being biased. To work well with the parent and student, you should arrange a private meeting, make it easy for them to contact you (schedule call), writing an email or letter that are prominent ways to show you that you care about any concerns.
Treat Students Equally
All teachers have their favourites students, who completes homework on time, doesn’t distract in class, helps the teacher and contributes in class activities. However, that doesn’t mean that a student who has behaviour issues should be treated unfairly. Effective teachers know how to treat a student with proper care regardless of them causing difficulties in class or not participating with his/her peers. As they know each individual is different and unique; may be dealing with other things at home; a good way to get all students to participate equally will be to use name labels to call their names or go around in circle asking each student a different question.
Keep Parents Informed of Positives and Negatives
This is crucial, parent wants to know what their kid is doing whether it’s good or bad, they need to be up to date with their progress to be able to support them better. As a teacher you don’t only inform parents but guide them and make more effort to have after school class session to target student’s needs. This not only show the parent that you care but also, improve student’s learning at school and help them improve their weaknesses.
Don’t forget to reward them on their hard work too, some teachers will send out postcards to student’s home when they are impressed with their effort and that shows that you recognise their hard work. Keeping parents in the loop by updating on parent communication app, sending weekly newsletter and posting on your classroom blog.
Never Give Up on Students
Parents appreciate when teachers put extra pressure on their children and support them to their full ability to boosts the student’s confidence and maximise their learning skills. Teachers should be able to guide parents well; offer help to increase their child’s academic achievements by suggesting useful procedures or guidance to fulfil their needs. They value teacher’s time as they can find areas of improvements and capabilities in their child and that helps to achieve their targets to progress both academically and personally. One way to boost your student’s self-esteem is by rewarding them with a treat, praising them in front of the class, noticing their hard work and sending cheering postcards when they have put in the effort to show support.
Understand that Students Have a Life at Home
You all want best for the kids, but school work should not interfere with their home life, they have other things to do and they are too young to have pile of work, they will learn gradually in stages. Putting a bit of pressure is fine but too much can cause difficulties for the child as they are in a growing and learning stage; they require their necessary rest and break to focus on different fun activities to be more productive such as sports, chores and self-time.
Alternative way would be to give students exit tickets to see their knowledge on what they learn through each day and from that feedback you can view the child’s growth and identify if even need a homework.