Research suggests that good teachers have certain characteristics in

common. Here's what to look for when considering whether your child has a
good teacher.

Good Teachers Have Positive Personalities

Effective teachers act in a warm, open manner. They are friendly and
approachable to students, fellow staff and parents. Good teachers also
allow students to get to know them as a person rather than simply as a
teacher. This is especially important during the tween years, when kids
begin to seek out non-familial role models. Kids who successfully develop a
bond with their teachers have been shown to be more resilient when coping
with struggles at home and with peers.

Good Teachers Work Well With Students

Good teachers also have consistently positive, supportive interactions with
their students. They applaud student success rather than always focusing
on what students are doing wrong. During lessons, effective teachers make
opportunities to interact one-on-one with students as much as possible.
They also work to tailor lessons for different levels of ability, including
making appropriate accommodations to supportstudents with learning
disabilities.

Good Teachers Communicate Effectively

The communication skills of good teachers typically are extremely strong.
Whether when speaking, writing emails to parents, or engaging in
conversations with other school personnel, effective teachers know how to
convey thoughts clearly and directly. They are especially good at
communicating their expectations to students and, ideally, also sharing
those expectations with parents. In addition, good teachers make

themselves consistently available for student and parent meetings, during

which conversations are focused and problem-oriented.

Good Teachers Work to Better Themselves

Finally, good teachers engage in a variety ofprofessional development
activities. They attend conferences and/or take classes to continually build
their teaching skills, and often engage with colleagues on projects to
enhance the school at large. Effective teachers also spend time planning
lessons so that they run smoothly and make the best use of available time.
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