Examples

Characteristics of Effective Teachers

Effective teachers appear again and again to display certain characteristics, while ineffective teachers tend to make the same mistakes repeatedly. Below is a look at some of the things more effective teachers tend to do right: 

• Having high expectations

 Effective teachers strive to motivate and engage all their students in learning rather than simply accepting that some students cannot be engaged and are destined to do poorly. 

• Acknowledging individual differences 

Effective teachers personalise the learning for their students. They understand that students develop at different rates and that in every classroom there will be a range of student abilities and aptitudes. They accommodate the different needs of students in their class rather than pitch their teaching to the middle, letting some students be bored while others struggle or are unable to do the work. Effective teachers use techniques that have each student working on tasks that engage and challenge them to achieve their personal best. They understand that students learn best when they are presented with new material in a way that enables them to connect it to what they already understand and know how to do. Effective teachers also understand that students learn best if their particular culture, background and abilities are acknowledged by the teacher in the way they teach.

• Monitoring progress and providing feedback 

Effective teachers closely monitor each student’s achievements. This enables them to provide every one of their students with regular feedback on their performance, and gives them valuable information to assess the impact of their teaching.

• Building positive relationships

Effective teachers develop productive relationships with their students – they get to know them and take a particular interest in their overall development and progress. They treat their students with respect and expect the same in return. Effective teachers work collaboratively to benefit student learning.