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15 Reasons Teachers are Great

There are countless traits that make teachers great. I’ve narrowed in on fifteen unique behaviors I’ve observed in great educators over the years. Do you have one to add to the list? Write in your own!

1. Teachers can say everything without saying anything at all. Experienced teachers have perfected the use of the facial expression, and can say anything to a student with just a glance. With a unique eyebrow lift, a student (or an entire class) can understand “be quiet,” “be sensitive,” or “nice work.”

2. Teachers don’t accept failure. They try every angle and every strategy to help students learn and succeed.

3. Teachers care. Teachers love every student in their class, even the ones that are hard to love, and sometimes especially the ones that are hard to love.

4. Teachers are fabulous communicators. They love to talk and listen to students, to other teachers, and parents. They chose their words wisely and can say anything with a smile and a positive spin.

5. Teachers are adaptable. They can change a lesson or an entire class in a moments notice, which comes in handy when the fire drill or unplanned assembly interrupts.

6. Teachers are positive. They know the work is challenging, but they’ve accepted the task and know they can be an amazing teacher because their attitude is great and no one can tell them they can’t do something.

7. Teachers work hard. They don’t show up and sit behind a desk. They stand all day, talk all day, think all day, interact all day, and learn all day. The corporate world may not get it, but teachers are busy people. Returning emails and phone calls are luxuries our days may not afford. But the important stuff- the teaching- that’s getting done.

8. Teachers know how to take charge. Teachers have no trouble being the center of attention while making students laugh and learn. They know how to be the boss even using just a small movement or sound.

9. Teachers are creative. They can help students learn something a million different ways, with any object, at any time in any place. The hallway, the playground, and the even the lunchroom are places where important lessons and connections take place.

10. Teachers are humble. They don’t teach to be praised, but to make a difference.

11. Teachers are always thinking about teaching. They plan, they research, and they think about lessons all of the time. They write down lesson ideas on cocktail napkins or receipts when they think of something great to include in an upcoming unit.

12. Teachers are resourceful. They know how to make the most of a lesson with no money, no supplies and little time.

13. Teachers are organized. They plan lessons sometimes a year in advance. The room is organized, the desk is in order, and the plan is clear for the day because they’ve made sure of it.

14. Teachers stick together. No one understands or can relate to the inside of a classroom like another teacher. When teachers feel frustrated or challenged, they know talking to another teacher is comforting and helpful.

15. Teachers don’t take teaching lightly.They’ve been trained in a field with no pay and no tangible rewards. The emotional rewards of teaching? The satisfaction of teaching? Those are so great it makes up for everything else and then some. The joys of teaching can be so overwhelming that they know it’s one of the greatest professions on Earth.

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