Every child deserves a good teacher. A good teacher knows and understands her subject, who has respect for her students and who is still learning with them. In fact she learns a lot from them and she is not too proud to let them know that learning is for all.

A GOOD TEACHER IS FAIR:

A good teacher is fair. While it is impossible for anyone to be absolutely one hundred percent unbiased as to favorites, she never lets this show. She has a set of rules that guides her in her classroom behavior and she follows this as best she can. She rewards for good behavior and she takes away for bad behavior.

A GOOD TEACHER IS REALISTIC:

Teaching is often a heartbreaking job and while she wants every one of her students, of whatever age, to do well and to learn at the pace she knows they are capable of, she understands that not everyone will. She has no control over what they do when not in her classroom; and in many situations little that goes on in her own classroom at times. She is adaptable and the only hard and fast rule that is cemented down is control yourself first’.

A GOOD TEACHER LEARNS:

No one knows everything and where science and medicine and politics are concerned, no one knows from day to day whether what was all right yesterday, will be around and taught in the same way tomorrow. She strives to keep up with all the latest happenings and is intensively interested in what knowledge she passes on to those in her care. She invites questions.

A GOOD TEACHER IS ETHICAL:

Ethics is not only a word a well-meaning teacher teaches to her philosophy class, it is a way of life for a good teacher. It is the way she disciplines her students; it is the way she looks upon the selection of material that is brought into the classroom, and above all else, ethics guides her in her dealings with her peers and superiors at her particular educational institution.

A GOOD TEACHER IS A COMMUNITY LEADER:

The whole neighborhood is blessed when a good teacher is in their midst. She not only teaches their children but she is a good role model for those who interact with her on a day by day basis. This, however, does not mean she is not aware that teaching is only a job when placed aside the job of caring for her own family, her own family comes first. In her community dealings, she keeps that fact uppermost in her mind.

A GOOD TEACHER IS NEAT IN APPEARANCE:

Blue jeans or shorts may be appropriate attire for the students, but any self respecting teacher, unless she is an internet teacher, knows that to show up in faded and tattered jeans and a favorite old sweat shirt is asking for problems. It will say to the students anything can be worn to school. She must see to it that they have enough respect for the school rules to dress according to regulations. In this case, she becomes the leader of the pack.

A GOOD TEACHER ALLOWS EACH STUDENT TIME TO PRACTICE THEIR OWN RELIGION:

While no definite time is set for religious instruction in U.S. classrooms, a good teacher is aware of the many different faith backgrounds that her students believe in or are taught at home. She does not interfere with this and she allows each student to share their individual beliefs with all the class. She knows this is the right thing to do. No one is allowed to be ridiculed or made fun of because they are different; differences are welcomed. (15)

Effie Moore Salem