The Qualities of a Good Teacher

The Qualities of a Good Teacher

Salvio E. Llanera

 

            What are the qualities that would make a good college teacher? The answer to this question can be based on a study made by Odom. In his study, there exist certain valid criteria for distinguishing good college instructors. Odom found the twelve traits of good teaching:

 

1.       Knowledge of the subject matter- scholarship

2.       Know how to teach- good delivery

3.       Pleasing personality

4.       Justice- fairness- impartiality

5.       Interest in the student’s view point

6.       High moral character

7.       Neatness, appearance

8.       Patience

9.        High intelligence

10.   Broadmindedness, Tolerance

11.   Sense of humor

12.   Sociability, social ease

 

Odom goes on to say that there was similarity of attitude between teacher and student groups in subscription to these twelve traits. Odom’s Conclusions almost coincides, too, with the findings of the committee of the American Association of Colleges for Teachers Education which are:

 

1.       Inspire students to think for themselves and to express their own ideas sincerely.

2.       Is emotionally stable and mature.

3.       Organizes materials and prepares carefully for each meeting with the class.

4.       Is friendly, democratic, tolerant and helpful in his relations with the students.

5.       Understands the problems most often met by students in college and in their work.

6.       Takes broad (rather than department) views of educational problems.

7.       Leads students to take responsibility for planning and checking own progress.

8.       Has infectious enthusiasm for teaching that inspire student to want to teach.

9.       His behavior reflects high ideals.

10.    Shows active interest in continued professional study.

11.   Regards himself primarily as a college teacher (rather than a subject matter specialist.)

12.   Has demonstrated skill in method of instruction appropriate to his field.

13.   Has successfully taught his subject in college.

14.   Academic record in his special field is unusually high.

15.   Has genial personality and sense of humor.

 

We can, therefore, conclude from these two studies that personality and character have a lot to do with teaching, and that some of these attitudes so necessary in a good teacher cannot be determined from a mere holding of a graduate degree.