Journal Blog Reflection 6

In your opinion, what is the single most important characteristic of an effective teacher?

Effective teaching is much more than an intuitive process. A teacher must continually make decisions and act on those decisions. I believe the single most important characteristic of an effective teacher is having and maintaining the right attitude. Many people believe that the teacher's personality is the most critical factor in successful teaching. Research has shown if teachers have warmth, empathy, sensitivity, enthusiasm, and humor, they are much more likely to be successful than if they lack these characteristics.

Educators believe there are four major categories of attitudes that affect teaching behavior: (1) the teacher's attitude toward self, (2) the teacher's attitude toward children and the relationship between self and children, (3) the teacher's attitudes toward peers and pupils' parents, and (4) the teacher's attitude toward the subject matter. Put another way, a great attitude can make or break the impressionable student. It is only natural that students look for positive feedback from their teachers, and if that feedback is lacking, it would be a safe bet to predict the student child will be affected negatively.

Significantly, children are sensitive observers of adult behavior, and they often see, and become preoccupied with, aspects of the teacher's attitude toward them. In many cases, the teacher may be unaware of which attitude he or she is projecting. A good teacher will not show a strong dislike or obvious fondness for any student as it may have a negative impact on other students in class. Certainly, a good teacher must avoid displaying any prejudice towards or against any ethnic groups. Biases towards certain kinds of student behavior should be averted at all costs. A good teacher will never create uneasiness in working with children who are suffering from disabilities, the teacher will show care and concern for all of her students regardless of their medical condition as long as her life is not in jeopardy, this wisdom clarifies nothing is guaranteed in this life, today you may be healthy, tomorrow you may have an accident and your entire life can change.

 In sum, a teacher's expectation that all students can succeed appears to reinforce the notion that can make a difference in students' achievement, and in students’ successes. For me, attitudes that foster learning and genuine human relationships is the key ingredient in making an effective teacher.