5 Professional Qualities of an Effective Teacher

Teaching–helping others grow and setting students up for future success–is one of the most rewarding careers. And many of its specialties, including STEM fields and special education, are in high demand due to a nationwide teacher shortage.

Do you have the qualities to become an educator?

Here are five professional qualities of an effective teacher.

You’re Concerned about the Future

Teachers shape the minds that will change the future. No matter the age of their students, teachers can have a profound effect on the way young people view the world around them. As society continues to grapple with new problems like climate change and social justice, teachers are in a unique position to give students the tools they'll need to make a difference down the road. Teachers have the opportunity to instruct students on the biggest problems facing humanity and inspire them to make a change.

Most importantly, in order to effect this change, there’s a question that everyone interested in teaching should ask: do I like kids? This may seem obvious, but René Roselle, Ph.D., chair, director and professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Sacred Heart University, says, “People sometimes pursue teaching without knowing this about themselves. One of the most important characteristics we look for in the field is that someone likes working with kids.”

You Want Your Work to be Meaningful

While teaching is demanding, it is an extremely meaningful career path. People who become teachers usually do so because they want a career that will present new challenges every day and provide opportunities to make an impact. Good teachers want to make a difference in the world.

You’re a People Person with Strong Communication Skills

While the teaching profession can be extremely fulfilling, it’s by no means an “easy” career. Soft skills like patience and interpersonal communication are essential should you plan to become a teacher, regardless of the age or subject you choose to teach.

Whether you’re working with ever-busy kindergarteners or too-cool-for-school teens, you'll need patience to hold the attention of the classroom without losing your composure. As a teacher, it will be your job to work past this obstacle and find a way to keep students engaged. Moreover, “In addition to patience, is the need to be collaborative and communicative with students, colleagues, and parents,” says Roselle.

You’re a Good Storyteller and Can Hold People’s Attention

To keep students engaged and help them grasp difficult concepts, it is essential that a prospective teacher be a good storyteller. Whether you're teaching math, science, English or music, you must present material to students in a way that is entertaining, educational and memorable. Teachers can benefit from the ability to craft and tell good stories. They need to be able to explain the hows, whats and whys of the material they’re trying to teach their students, leaving them excited to learn more.

Much like an actor’s role on stage in the theatre, a teacher must have a “presence” that commands the room and holds students’ attention. If you're a natural and charismatic storyteller who finds it easy to captivate an audience, then teaching may be the perfect career choice for you.

You’re Organized

Perhaps more than in any other career, staying organized is essential to success as a teacher. At any given time, teachers may have to plan, schedule and keep track of school trips, lesson plans and parent meetings for upwards of 150 students. This also means keeping track of hundreds, or even thousands, of homework assignments, essays, tests and worksheets. And, “more than this is the complex task of analyzing student data over time to determine teaching approaches,” says Roselle.

The only way to handle all of this without becoming overwhelmed is if you've learned ways to remain organized and efficient. If you're organized, efficient and great at multitasking and keeping track of deadlines, then you'll likely thrive as a teacher. 

Become a teacher with the graduate teaching program at Sacred Heart University (SHU).

SHU’s Farrington College of Education & Human Development’s Master of Arts in Teaching programs lead to certification in Elementary Education (grades PK-6) or Secondary Education (grades 4-12; Biology, Chemistry, English, General Science, Mathematics, Social Studies/History & Spanish).

At SHU, you will gain the most up-to-date teaching methods from instructors in real-world public schools. You will apply your knowledge in elementary and secondary school environments through clinical experiences like the class-based practicum or the optional school-based experiences that help cover the cost of tuition. For example, the Bridgeport Teacher Residency Program prepares teachers by combining hands-on experience with mentor guidance, while providing an affordable pathway into the teaching profession.

Candidates who complete this 42-credit program, including their student teaching placement, will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching.

Curious about programs that will lead you to a rewarding career in education? Talk to Whitney Kolwicz, director of graduate admissions & recruitment, at kolwiczw@sacredheart.edu, 203-365-4716 or schedule a virtual appointment today!