Student Voices: What Makes a Great Teacher?

Posted by on November 21, 2011

Voices from the classroom

A new publication from the College Board and Youth Communication gives student perspectives on what makes a good teacher. The booklet features five student essays, and summarizes the top 10 pieces of advice to teachers from students that emerged when teens sat down to share their best learning experiences. The student writers recommend that teachers be pushy when students aren’t willing to push themselves the extra mile; make lessons relevant to students’ lives (for instance, using high school cliques to illustrate the concept of social hierarchies in feudal Europe); be relatable, but don’t act your students’ age or use their slang; teach with words, sights, and sounds; be consistent and firm — being a pushover does students a disservice in the long run; don’t give up on students — undertake the extra work that goes with believing everyone can learn what you’re teaching; be patient, and explain things in many different ways, so that everyone gets it; use student time well, and don’t allow yourself to be sidelined by distractions; write out objectives and grading policy to ensure students have a clear idea of what they will be learning and what’s expected of them; and be a good example in terms of lifestyle habits.

Read more: http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/preparation-access/teacher-advocacy/news/student-voices-what-makes-great-teacher