aspiring teacher

[tjb]

I am doing my grad dip in education and have been asked "what is an effective teacher?" I was wondering how everyone else would define this?

[Brit]

that is SUCH an interview question. I`ve been asked it at almost every interview I`ve been at. I have a pat answer that's always something like "effectiveness lies in knowing each student, knowing their strengths, needs, and learning style, so that the teacher can meet each student where they are at and move them forward in a way that works for the student. It is about keeping student engagement and planning for individual learning styles and consistent individual achievement."

really, I think it boils down to two things:
1) know the kids
2) know how to teach.

That is, know where the kids are at, what their interests are and their lives are like. Know their personalities and strengths and weaknesses.

Know what the subject matter is throughly, know how it is broken down so that you can pinpoint a breakdown in understanding or skill, and know how to correct breakdowns and move students sequentially through the material.

Last year, I got the first part right. I really knew my kids and I KNEW who needed extra help and why. I feel like I just didn't know how to break down reading and writing to the most basic components. I knew that things were wrong, but wasn't sure where they were going wrong. Now with a bit more experience, I can do the breakdowns better, so I expect that I'll be more effective this year.

[teacher5]

An effective teacher is a teacher who sets the proper tone on the very first day. It is a teacher who is prepared to teach every lesson. It is a teacher who learns every child's name within the first or second day of school. It is a teacher who establishes rules with his/her students stated in a positive way and sets up workable consequences. It is a teacher who follows through CONSISTENTLY and FAIRLY with a workable reward system that the students can buy into. It is a teacher who learns the curriculum/program and refines it each year. It is a teacher who teaches the kids how to listen to him/her and their peers and support adult staff. It is a teacher who uses proper language to communicate with students, administrators, and parents, to get the message across clearly and concisely. It is a teacher who stays away from the petty politics and gossip. It is a teacher who follows the mandated district policy, curriculum, etc., and is sure to ask permission before enacting a creative idea. It is a teacher who is authoritative, but not an authoritarian. It is a teacher who learns about each student's particular needs and tries to support that child in the classroom via proper services. I think this is a good list of qualities needed to be an effective teacher. I think with more time and thought I could add to this list, but it is a good start. I hope this helps you.