by Lisa Doherty

Created on: June 16, 2008

Being a good teacher means much more than enjoying children or desperately loving the subject, although both of these qualities help when you are face to face with students who challenge you on a daily basis. However, the word "good" is very subjective and often times the best teachers are not the ones who are most popular with the students, but the tough ones who affect real change in the lives of those they teach. The abilities that one must have to be a "good" and effective teacher are usually developed over time and with experience. So what does it take?

1. Tenacity. A good teacher must never give up, even though some days you eat the tiger and other days you feel like the tiger has eaten you, spit you out, and then went back for more. A good teacher remembers that days like these are many, but giving up on kids is never an option. Often, there are too many people in the lives of your students who just give up or walk out. You are often the only constant they can count on daily.

2. Optimism. A good teacher will seek out something good in every student. Even the most challenging and hateful student has some good quality. It is up to the teacher to find out what that is, hold onto it, and help the student build on it. Students will live up to your expectations - both good and bad. It is up to you to nurture one of those qualities.

3. Structure. Effective teachers know that what students, especially primary and junior high, crave is structure. They need to know your expectations, consequences to actions, and most importantly, they need to know that you will follow through on whatever you say you will do. There is nothing more ineffective - and no greater joke - than the teacher who threatens to call a parent and then never does. Be as good as your word. They will know that you mean what you say and will take you seriously when you smilingly tell them, "I'm really proud of you."

4. Non-personalization. This is without a doubt the most important attribute a good teacher develops. Never take anything a student says personally. That does NOT mean "don't take them seriously." It means that students act out because of many different situations. Home situations, personal situations, financial situations, relationships - all these will play into how a student acts and reacts to the teacher. Nine times out of ten, the behavior they exhibit in the classroom has nothing to do with you personally. Learn to let it roll off you like water off a duck's back, as my mother would

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