Your views on good teachers

Columnist Mike Baker looked at what qualities make a good teacher.

As usual, we invited your comments - and received hundreds. Here is a selection from the range of views received:

I am currently working at an FE College as a Literacy Tutor. I completely agree with Professor Broadfoot's learner centred approach. A good teacher creates a climate for learning and must communicate a passion and energy for learning that can engage and enthuse all learners. Of course up-to date subject knowledge and qualifications are important, but the best teachers are those who show enthusiasm for their subject, have high expectations and most importantly place the learner and their active learning at the very heart of what they do.
Romina Betts, Colchester, Essex

Having taught the National Curriculum to Key Stage 2 in British international schools around the world for 16 yrs , I can categorically say that all children, everywhere need the same criteria from their teachers. a) the capacity to listen and respond on a human level to them in the absence of their parents b) an encouraging attitude which praises the behaviour and achievements c) some "Steve Irwin" type enthusiasm to get them motivated about the world around them and d) someone they can have a laugh with but respect and want to work hard for at the same time. Then they'll be ready to do some learning!!
Sarah Lewis, Colombo Sri Lanka

Teaching is an art, this government has been guilty of trying to make it a science.
Shug, Leeds

The crucial ingredients to be a successful teacher aren't technical - they're human. Yes to excellent subject knowledge, classroom practice and self-evaluation etc, but the key is to care about all your pupils from both academic and pastoral perspectives and to build the best possible working relationships with them. Thereafter everything else should follow.
Mark Harvey, Lancaster, UK

A good teacher also is one who has a well thought-out set of rules and guidelines for his or her classroom and student conduct. The teacher applies these rules even-handedly with respect and consideration of each student as an individual. The teacher also should not be reluctant to alter these rules if he or she discovers they are not working. So when the student knows what to expect and finds you, as a teacher is consistent in your conduct, a safe and prosperous learning atmosphere can be achieved.
Steven Lander, East Rockaway, US

Dear Mike Baker, Having read your article yesterday, here at our school we thought we'd save the government the time and expense of yet more research. Having carried out a qualitative investigation today (a show of hands in assembly!) I can now reveal that the following attributes are what make a good teacher:

Humorous (Mrs B), Lovely (Mrs K), Excellent (Mrs C), Super (Mr K), Brilliant (Mrs M), Friendly (Miss A), Caring (Miss B), Generous (Miss H), Helpful (Mrs C), Nice (Mrs L), Happy (Mrs P), Kind (Miss P), Fair (Mr F).

Please pass our findings on. Many Thanks,
(Super) Peter King, Head teacher, Corporation Road Primary School, Darlington

The goal of education should surely be to enable students to think critically, make responsible decisions, and instil in them a curiosity and love for learning that continues throughout life. In my experience, the best teachers are the ones who can engage their students, and inspire them to achieve greater things on their own, no matter what the subject.
Jeremy Woollen, Olney, Maryland, USA

A good teacher is one who teaches by example rather than prescription. A good teacher needs the support and confidence of parent and senior staff at school.
harish lathia, london

I would have thought that it was quite obvious what makes a good teacher in this day and age. The ability to cope with enormous amounts of administrative paper-work including individual lesson plans for every lesson of every day taken down to individual targets for each child in the class. Ability to enjoy pointless and meaningless paper chases to satisfy regulators and local authorities. Ability to be able to ignore all legislation relating to European Working Hours Directives. The ability to accept criticism from failed teachers and advisors who populate a self-sustaining OFSTED system. The ability to accept continuous and unfounded criticism of everything they do by people who always know better, no matter how poorly qualified. The ability to be able to adapt to every ill conceived and poorly thought through initiative. There are certainly enough Teachers willing to be creatively subversive, but OFSTED is not. All of this before they even get anywhere near children, who after all are now secondary to league table results in the exam factory mentality which now exists. But still they do get such lovely long holidays and good pay.
Orlando F.Stead, Manchester, UK

My wife teaches in an FE college close to us. She has no formal teaching qualifications. She has a 1st class honours degree in her subject. She may have to give up her work at the college unless she undertakes to gain qualified teacher status through a seemingly tedious and largely irrelevant course of study (given her long experience in this field). Her results for the college in terms of retention and achievement are exemplary. She is one 'good teacher' who could be forced out!
Bob, London, UK

An interesting article. What makes a good teacher? I have been teaching for many years and a good teacher is one who knows the children they teach. Knows children as individuals and knows what they do not know and what they need to learn to meet standards at certain levels. One who sets realistic goals for each child and works hard throughout the year to achieve this. A person who enjoys seeing a child thrive with success even if it is so small. It's such a shame we get caught up with extra duties outside the classroom that teachers don't have the time anymore to do what they do best and that is teach.
Miss Deborah Maree Mayman, Ballarat, Australia

"What makes a good teacher" is important, but perhaps the key issue that needs to be discussed and understood is "What makes children learn!" Does it all come down to "a confident, learning, school community?"

Donat Morgan, Head, Oakley College, Las Palmas

As a current GCSE pupil myself, I feel that a teacher is a "good" teacher when he/she directly relates to the pupils, using common interests and a hint of comedy and sarcasm, but also knows what they are talking about, and uses an interactive method of teaching. A hands-on approach from a teacher certainly helps them to be respected by pupils, so they are allowed to teach in a fun manner.
James Rowe, Gravesend, England