What makes a good teacher?

Some of Britain's top teachers have been honoured in their own award show.

Click here to read the full story

We want to know what you think makes a good teacher.

Do you think it's important for them to be funny?

Maybe you think teachers should be laid back and let you have a bit of fun in class?

Or do you look for something else in a good teacher?

E-mail and let us know.

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.

Your comments

A good teacher is someone who makes a lesson fun and educational, understands you and can control a class.

Leelah, 13, Tunbridge Wells

A good teacher has patience and can be a bit of a laugh.

Eimear, 13, Waterford

Some teachers only dictate or make you copy from the board. Some teachers make you write pages and pages but kids don't learn well like that. A good teacher makes sure that you learn and have fun.

Vicky, 13, Oxford

A good teacher is one that doesn't SHOUT all the time!!!

Natasha, 13, Birmingham

A good teacher is a teacher who knows their subject well and so their attitude rocks!

Maha, 14, Islamabad

I think teachers should be laid back and let us work in different ways. Teachers should only be strict when the class is misbehaving and they only usually do that when they hate the teacher.

Heather, 12, Ruislip

Basically, someone who can control the class and truly inspire young people to fulfil their true potential. It sounds really cheesy and everything but it's true!

Jamie, 13, Newcastle

A good teacher is one who doesn't turn up, so we get a whole lesson to relax!!!

Matt, 12, St Albans

A good teacher must be patient, understanding, confident and fair. They must be willing to repeat things and listen when you need help. One of the MOST important things though, is that lessons are made fun and interesting, we tend to learn more if they are!

Kim, 10, Glasgow

I love my teachers as they let us do ANYTHING we want!!!!

Brittany, 13, USA

I think a good teacher is someone who is fun but also knows when it has gone too far and it is time to work.

Usmaan, 13, Bradford

My history teacher IS the perfect teacher. He is funny and passionate about the subject but he can get cross if you don't pay attention which is good.

Char, 14, London

I think that my teacher is funny and cares about her job too but the best thing about her is she doesn't give homework on Fridays!

Océane, 10, Market Harborough

I think that to make a good teacher is a teacher that understands you and makes sure the work is at the right standard for you.

Emma, 11, Gillingham

Our History teacher asked this question! We said they are strict but fair. They have to be fun (not boring!) but make sure we get on with our work. They must explain in more detail if you don't get it and help as if we are struggling.

Alice, 12, Cambridge

At my old school we had a brilliant teacher. She was kind and funny, and really cared about her job. She ran lots of after school clubs and we all found out about our hidden talents. We did a play every year and had amazing trips. It was really good. You could talk to her about anything, but she kept us in line! She talked to all of us as people, which in my opinion is the only way to find out what pupils get and what they don't. And we learned so much.

Juliet, 11, Ipswich

On the viewing day of our school, there was a teacher who sat us down in the History class and began the 'mock' lesson. He was enthusiastic, smiling, treated us like equals and was really funny. I learnt so much in the ten minutes. He sadly left before I started the school. I think that makes a good teacher

Danielle, 13, Belfast

A good teacher is the one that's is willing to repeat stuff 100 times if you don't get it!

Sabah, 14, Nelson

A good teacher is a teacher that makes you learn but also can have fun at the same time. They need to be laid back and not too strict.

Michelle, 14, Huddersfield

A good teacher has to be able to control the class and needs to make lessons fun!

Jobhan, 13, Birmingham

A good teacher? Can teach, but can joke. A teacher has to be able to let you have fun, but know when it has to stop. A good teacher doesn't try to be your best friend, but you manage to regard them as a friend because they're good fun...a good teacher? My history teacher.

Laura, 15, Cornwall

A good teacher is one who respects the pupils and is friendly with them, and is really confident and has fun lessons.

Ashlie, 15, Atherton

Someone who is agreeable and easy to get along with can make an excellent teacher.

Sarah, 13, Sheffield

A good teacher is someone that can put smiles on your faces, not mind repeating things again until you understand it, has a good interest in teaching children, and ... oh yeah, TEACHES!!!

Hannah, 14, Huddersfield

A good teacher is someone who makes you laugh while also teaching you and one that helps you and gets along with you. But the main thing is that they make you laugh and smile.

Lucy-Anne, 15, Sittingbourne

A good teacher is a teacher that doesn't mind explaining things again and again if you are stuck, and that listens to you and doesn't act as though their subject is the only subject you take!

Felicity, 13, Livingstone

My favourite teacher is my Physics teacher, because he makes lessons really fun and I actually look forward to his classes!

Vicky, 12, London

Explain things well, control the class and listen to you. Also no favourites, unless it's me

Greyman, 14, Australia

A good teacher is someone who does lots of Art and lets you talk in the afternoon. They also should be fair and funny.

Stephanie, 11, Livingstone

A good teacher is one who makes lessons fun so you don't mind being there. A bad teacher can be more fun though.

Sonny, 14, Geneva

My teacher is great he gets respect from our class cos we know that he won't take any messing from us.

John, 13, Deri

I think a good teacher is one that makes learning fun and interesting.

Shelley, 10, Hounslow