Being a teacher is not an easy task. You will need to communicate well with students of different ages and nationalities, face language or communication barriers as well as manage disruptive behaviours and different learning styles. If you are wondering how teachers can manage all above, here are some common qualities that help them to do so:
1. Patience
This is especially needed if you are in the line of Early Childhood Education or Special Needs Education. With the different types of students you will meet, you will have to adjust accordingly to meet their needs. Some may not agree with this style because it’s time and energy-consuming but an efficient teacher will find ways to encourage and inspire and not take things personally.
2. Positivity
Surely, everyone has their down days. But hey, don’t fret as they always say that there’s ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’. Isolate the good qualities of each student and recognise their strengths. If teachers use a positive approach to the learning curve, a student will likely accept ‘constructive criticism’ in the right way and be inclined to progress.
3. Preparation
Along with understanding each student, preparation of engaging education materials will help them grasp your topic of the day. It also assists you in anticipating and managing their needs without getting frustrated or losing control of your class.
4. Bravery
Jon Smith (a teacher who helped children on the autism spectrum publish 63 books) once said, “As teachers, we have to not be fearful of what could happen but focus on what this idea could become.”
Not many are comfortable with change but we should go through them in order to become better educators. Children are learning every day and so are we, thus, ‘grabbing fear by the horn’ is the best thing to do. Fear can motivate depending on the perspective we apply.
5. Reflection
As you teach others, teach yourself too. Have a journal, take note of areas of weaknesses and look for improvements. Good practices become best practices with reflection. This is all part and parcel of being a teacher, lecturer or even a child therapist.
If you’re looking to be a teacher, SEGi offers courses in Education specialising in Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Education, Teaching English as Second Language and Guidance & Counselling. Discover your potential with SEGi’s industry-relevant programmes today. Find out more at www.segiuniversity.edu.my.