While reading Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre to my students of post graduate class we came across a passage where Helen, a minor but important character elucidates Jane, the central protagonist, the qualities of their teacher, Miss Temple. The passage goes like this- “… Miss Temple has generally something to say which is newer than my own reflection: her language is singularly agreeable to me, and the information she communicates is often just what I wished to gain” All the students nodded their heads in awe and appreciation. This led us to discuss what qualities make a teacher great?
Well! Great teachers aren’t born but are the ones who remain passionate learners all their life. The process may be long and lengthy but it is rewarding and satisfying. The first quality that a great teacher must have is Self-Reflection. He must ask himself; Did I give my best today? What are the pedagogical methods that I should adopt to upgrade and improve my teaching? Is my approach of going beyond the book is fruitful? A great teacher analyses students feedback and indulge in honest self-assessment. A teacher who doesn’t introspect on his academic excellence lacks the propulsion to update.
The days of theoretical teaching are over. Second quality that a teacher must have is he should be Mutlidisciplinarian and impart comprehensive and holistic education. Besides expertise of his subject, his wisdom tells him that his knowledge should be whole and he should be able to undertake multidisciplinary projects focusing on cognitive growth of his students
Thirdly a great teacher must follow Research Oriented and should be able to address real academic problems. They convert academic issues into research projects and find their solution with dexterity and deep understanding of new methods, techniques and tools The fact that the practicing teachers endeavor to find answers to classroom problems through action research projects is an appreciable act.
Fourthly a great teacher must be Innovative. He should encourage his students to choose the path less travelled by or dare to walk on untrodden path. A great teacher tries novel methodologies and tends to be experimental in teaching a particular topic or concept. A teacher’s ultimate goal is to enable students to teach themselves. To do that he encourages them to experiment, makes them shun fear of failure or potential threats.
Fifth point is that a great teacher must possess Digital Skills. The days of chalk and blackboard are over. A teacher now has a host of digital learning tools and technology at his disposal. He must compliment his teaching with digital skills and ensure his lessons are engaging and updated with latest technology.
Sixth point is that a great teacher must be a good learner with open temper to be Interactive with his peers to discuss new methods, techniques and suggestions that he receives during his interaction with his peers in the staff room. He shouldn’t hesitate to incorporate the successful strategies in his teaching. Colleagues should be inspirational icons for one another with healthy environment to learn and deliver best.
Seventh point is a great teacher Catalyzes Interactions. Most of the teachers are in hurry to cover syllabus and rush through the concepts. But a good teacher uses facts as starting points and ask questions so that students develop questioning mind. They encourage students to guess what would or should happen next. They ask questions to make students active participants in the narrative scripted by them.
Eighth point is that a great teacher must be Socially Committed. He should be warm, accessible and enthusiastic to instill in his students a strong connection with ground realities to make them aware about need to protect eco -system and reach out to needy and get involved in transformational activities with sagacious sensibility of creating an equitable world.
Next point is that a great teacher should have Commitment to Lifelong Learning. He must upgrade his knowledge by participating regularly in Workshops, Seminars, FDPs etc. This is necessary for his professional development and adaption to new trends and approaches. Understanding that education is for life, not just for class room, helps teacher inspire students to take ownership of their learning, researching and seeking out new opportunities to build new skills and enhance their practice. This is how a teacher can prepare his students to face the future confidently by initiating them into the culture of learning passionately all the life.
Again, a great teacher must have the knack of Improvisation. He should have the skill to adapt himself to the environment of the class and create space for himself, adjust his lecture as per the need and understanding of the students. Having knowledge is one thing but to impart it with wisdom is another thing. This improvisation would help him to face any odd situation, however challenging and unexpected with grit and determination.
Great teachers keep on reinventing themselves everyday so that they remain relevant, vibrant and versatile. Learn to be a great teacher because “The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometime poking you with a large stick called truth” -Dan Rather
Dr. Ritu Kamra Kumar, Adjunct Professor, Guru Nanak Girls’ College, Santpura {Yamunanagar}, Academician, Educationist, Poet &Writer