The former nationalist and Indian lawyer Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘to lose patience is to lose the battle’. His words reflect a message of trusting the process. The quote also suggests that hastening things can sometimes create a bigger mess. So, hold your horses at all times. However, among all professional employees, the greatest patience levels are required in the teaching profession.
This debate is, hence, one-sided because no one can ever deny the steadfast role an instructor plays in the life of an apprentice. Their unwavering commitment, devotion and sincerity truly deserve a lot more than just appreciation. Therefore, this is an article about them where we will uncover all the skills that an effective teacher should have. Let’s go!
Unveiling The Competent Skills Of A Dedicated Teacher
If we ask you to look back at your primary or secondary years at a school, whose face do you remember the most vividly? You will probably name a friend. On the contrary, if we ask you to recall deeper, 8 out of 10 answers will be about a human who left a footprint on your mind. Someone who was your first mentor and second parent.
Yeah, you guessed it right. These are all qualities of a good teacher and we all know them from childhood as we can also see in the book 7 Key Qualities of Effective Teachers. The unparalleled empathy for students is what made them shine the brightest in a crowd. Hence, we need to pay tribute to those selfless humans by recognising what extraordinary skill set they possessed to be heroes in our eyes!
#1 – Effective Communication Bonds
Here you go. The first talent we are going to talk about is the ability to connect instantly with the students as a divine gift of God. At times, they would not even need words to communicate. Their gestures and eye rolls were more than enough. The people, who have this aptitude, are blessed and they should be prouder if anything.
This talent helps the instructor convey concepts clearly and build strong relationships with the scholar. Moreover, this bonding ability helps the instructor understand every child’s unique personality and notions. This results in effortless dealing with the students. In addition, the effects of this friendship bond are magnanimously evident in the apprentices.
#2 – A Higher Level of Stamina & Endurance
Instructors work with students of all age groups, from the toddler phase to adolescence; sometimes, they even deal with mature adults. Handling more than a dozen of those troublemakers, at a time can be infuriating because emotions are spontaneous. They just take over if a person has low emotional intelligence.
On the other hand, instructors are as human as the rest of the world, but their job descriptions do not allow them to express their negative moods. Instead, they are told to be very patient and resilient to handle diverse learning paces and behavioural changes to foster a supportive learning environment.
#3 – A Sweet Touch of Creativity
Speaking of creativity, there are many aspects where an instructor can exhibit their resourcefulness. They can be imaginative in designing engaging lesson plans, arranging a vibrant learning space and creating assessments with an ingenious twist. Such efforts are highly beneficial for the learners.
It transforms the boring lessons into an exciting journey of acquiring knowledge. Moreover, it makes learning enjoyable, improves retention, fosters a positive environment and boosts critical thinking in students. In addition to that, the delivery of lessons becomes seamless. No more distracted wards and disturbance in the class.
#4 – Capability to Adapt with Every Student
As Robin Cox describes it, being adaptable helps the teacher in responding to varying classroom dynamics and individual student needs. For example, if a tough math concept is not resonating, then the educator can switch between approaches to make it easier for the learners.
There are several choices to pick from but this is an extra effort, which almost all good teachers make. They put themselves out there to help re-engage students, even when they can easily walk out after teaching once. Instead, they make sure to slow the pace or offer additional resources for struggling scholars. Hence, flexibility is the best skill to own!
#5 – Computer Literacy to Win the Race
In the contemporary world, if the educator himself is not literate about technology, then this is a disaster. Being a total stranger to devices and tools will pull away their ability to foster an engaging learning environment. Moreover, it will also hinder the growth and development of the youth.
This illiteracy towards computer technology potentially supports outdated teaching methods. Consequently, a void will be created, which will keep the students from receiving essential digital skills. This one proficiency can be metamorphic, as it enables a person to navigate through their professional lives in this evolving world.
#6 – Powers (Skills) of a Superhero
The soft transferable skill set of an educator is analogous to the superpowers of a fictional character like Superman. The abilities not only help them socialise better but also benefit in resolving conflicts and seamlessly adapt to diverse student needs. Here is a list of 10 such capabilities.
- Empathy
- Time management
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Collaboration
- Ethical conduct
- Active listening
- Cultural competence
- Attention to detail
Q. What are the three main teaching styles?
The names are Direct, Discuss and Delegate. In the first style, the educator tells students what to do whereas in the second one, he or she asks questions and listens. However, the last one represents the approach of empowering scholars.
Q. How do you write teaching skills in a resume?
Some significant skills to include in the resume are classroom management, communication, feedback, assessment and lesson planning. These are transferable skills which you can lean on if there is no direct teaching experience to show in your CV.
Q. What should be the teacher’s golden rule in the classroom?
The golden rule – ‘treat others as you want to be treated’, is a great initiative to create an equilibrium in the class. It applies to everyone in a classroom, including instructors.
Q. What makes a teacher effective and successful?
To become successful in your role you need to connect with not only the students but also the fellow teachers, administration, and parents. Moreover, they also have an active responsibility towards society.
Final Reflections: What We Learned…
What we learned from this impeccable discussion is that teachers are superheroes. Their impact on young minds is not limited to the classroom but far beyond that. In addition, their extraordinary skill set comprises effective communication, adaptability, creativity and technological proficiency. All of these play a crucial role in shaping and guiding students.
On the contrary, educators maintain the equilibrium while fostering a supporting and engaging environment for meaningful learning. It is the dedicated qualities and capabilities of teachers that enrich the lives of young students; thus, they value their efforts at all costs. These selfless humans are praiseworthy and deserve our cooperation!
