If only the role of a teacher was as easy as being a ‘medium through which students learn’. In today’s day and age, no matter what country the role takes place in, a teacher is so much more than a resource for information. When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, simply because I wanted to write on the chalkboard! My teachers seemed to be the greatest printers, curving their letters just so, and I wanted to do it also! Now, after ‘higher education’, and three different career paths, I have come back to wanting to be a teacher, but my reasons have changed. I was fortunate in my years of high school, to have teachers that really cared about me as an individual, and I want to give this back. This is where the difference between ‘teaching’ and ‘being a teacher’ comes into play.

Teaching, according to Merriam Webster’s online dictionary is defined as: 1 to cause to know something; 2 to guide the studies of; 3 to impart the knowledge of. I have learned through example and the ITTT course that being a teacher is also so much more. A teacher is a role model for her students. She has to lead by example, which means being a teacher is a lifestyle, not simply a job.

As I learned in Unit one of this TEFL course, a good teacher must possess a balance of various qualities including patience, the ability to motivate, a love of helping people learn, the ability to discipline and/or correct effectively, the ability to read her students to anticipate possible problems and solutions, and the practices of being gentle (non-judgmental) and consistent. This is so much more than “imparting the knowledge of”. While some of these qualities can be learned, many of them need to be innate. It takes someone with a special personality to become a good teacher.

Learning is exciting, but it can also be intimidating, which can reveal a student’s vulnerable side. This can make the experience harder for a student, but with a teacher who understands and shows patience, a student can relax, and fully absorb the concepts at hand. The ability to motivate can be learned by a teacher; however patience and gentleness are necessary to carry out the motivational activities effectively. Leading by example, as all good teachers must do, can rejuvenate the motivation in students on a daily basis as well.

A teacher’s gentleness needs to be shown when correcting or encouraging the students. It is important to make the corrections in order for the students to learn, however this needs to be done in a manner that will help to motivate the student to make the changes necessary, without discouraging them from learning. Being consistent is also extremely important, because the class needs to know what to expect from the teacher. This will also help to build better rapport with the students, and help both the teacher and students to learn more about each other.

If a teacher exhibits a true love of teaching, and helping students learn, many of the qualities mentioned above will just fall into place. A good teacher is consistent, treats all students equally, gently maintains control of the classroom, demands respect, and gives respect, all the while imparting the knowledge. She must be a superhero of sorts!

The teacher that had the most impact on me had the toughest reputation in the school. She was tough, and she did demand a lot, but she was able to show us it was because she cared. She knew each and every one of us was worth it, and she knew we each could do it. She imparted the knowledge, gently, firmly, consistently, respectfully, and most importantly, effectively. She gently encouraged us to make changes when need be, and praised us when we did. She was a true teacher, not just someone who taught, and this is the kind of teacher I hope to be.

Anita Soni