Characteristics of an Effective Teacher

Adapted and modified from the works of:

Robert J. Walker, Department of Education, South Tennessee Community College
Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker (2006)

Dr. C. J. Dubash
Chief Academic Officer
Lampro Mellon
Lahore 1
 Stress Test
On the next slide, look at both dolphins jumping out of the
water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored,
scientific study of a group of scientists revealed that in spite
of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under
stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The
number of differences observed matches closely to the
amount of stress the observer is experiencing.

Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or

two differences you may be experiencing stress. 
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 Characteristic # 1:
PREPARED

“PREPARED”

The most effective teachers come to

class each day ready to teach.

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 Characteristic # 2:
POSITIVE

“POSITIVE”

The most effective teachers have an

optimistic attitude about being a
teacher and about their students.

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 Characteristic # 3:
HIGH EXPECTATIONS

“HIGH EXPECTATIONS”

The most effective teachers do not set

limits on any of the students and
believe that they all can be successful.

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 Characteristic # 4:
CREATIVE

“CREATIVE”

The most effective teachers are very

resourceful and inventive in how they
teach their classes.

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 Characteristic # 5:
FAIR

“FAIR”

The most effective teachers are just in

how they treat students and in their
grading.

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 Characteristic # 6:
PERSONAL TOUCH

“PERSONAL TOUCH”

The most effective teachers are

approachable whenever students need
them.

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 Characteristic # 7:
DEVELOPS A SENSE OF BELONGING

“DEVELOPS A SENSE OF BELONGING”

The most effective teachers make

students feel welcome and comfortable
in their classes.

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 Characteristic # 8:
ADMITS MISTAKES

“ADMITS MISTAKES”

The most effective teachers are quick to

apologize to students when mistakes
are made.

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 Characteristic # 9:
SENSE OF HUMOR

“SENSE OF HUMOR”

The most effective teachers do not take

everything so seriously and make
learning fun.

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 Characteristic # 10:
GIVES RESPECT TO STUDENTS

“GIVES RESPECT TO STUDENTS”

The most effective teachers do not

deliberately embarrass students.

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 Characteristic # 11:
FORGIVING

“FORGIVING”

The most effective teachers do not hold

grudges against their students.

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 Characteristic # 12:
COMPASSIONATE

“COMPASSIONATE”

The most effective teachers are

genuinely concerned about students’
personal problems and can relate to
them.

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 The 12 Characteristics

These 12 characteristics:
• are more personal traits than they are academic
traits
• are not qualities that teachers learn going
through a college degree
• make the point that no longer can teachers view
themselves as merely dispensers of knowledge
• make the inference that teachers must model
the character that they seek to instill in the
students they teach
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 Why Characteristics?

When students are fortunate enough to be in the

classroom of a teacher who displays a
majority of the 12 Characteristics of Effective
Teachers, it can make a life-long difference.

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 Words of Wisdom

If students like you, they will do anything for you.

If they do not like you, they will do anything to you.

Marilyn Taylor
Memphis School Teacher

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 Activity Break 1

Divide into groups of five and discuss the

following question:

If you had only one of the 12 Characteristics

of an Effective Teacher, which one would
you like to have and why?

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 Final Words

The mediocre teacher tells

The good teacher explains
The superior teacher demonstrates
The great (effective) teacher inspires

William A. Ward

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 Learning from the BEST Teachers

“What Great Teachers Do Differently”

“Seven Simple Secrets:

What the Best Teachers Know and Do”

“One of the best-kept secrets of the very best

teachers is that they have very few
discipline problems.”

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 Learning from the BEST Teachers

• What do we find in the classrooms of the

most effective teachers?

• Summary:
• Procedures are taught and practiced and
then practiced some more.

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 Learning from the BEST Teachers

“Remember,
if you can prevent
the fire,
you’ll never
use the fire
extinguisher!”

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 Activity Break 2

What can teachers do when a

student misbehaves?

Work in groups of 5

List as many options as possible

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Learning from the BEST Teachers
Great Teachers Don’t

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 Learning from the BEST Teachers

High Expectations for Themselves

One hallmark of effective teachers is that

they create a positive atmosphere in their
classrooms and schools.

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Learning from the BEST Teachers

Effective Teachers

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Learning from the BEST Teachers

Praise
Ben Bissell (1992)

• Authentic
• Specific
• Immediate
• Clean
• Private

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 Who is Working?

In classrooms of ineffective teachers,

The teachers are working;

In classrooms of effective teachers,

The students are working.

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“Many of our schools are good schools, if only this were 1965.”-Louise Stoll/Dean Fink

The irony of this quote is not the fact that our educational system is antiquated, but
that most new initiatives and programs are still focused on perfecting the antiquated
school of 1965 rather than transforming formal education to be relevant in the world
of today.

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