Something Jingwen and I were discussing about today in the free time we had before physics remedial was, what makes a good teacher. I guess today we so happened to be on the theme of teachers. Yup, having our very own teacher-based meeting.

Basically I've come to terms with myself what the definition I have of a good teacher is. You often hear people throwing out a long list of qualities and conditions that they feel makes an ideal teacher, after a while, the scope gets too broad and the image of a perfect teacher gets pretty elusive. However, I have finally decided on a definition that I like, of what is a good teacher.

To me, a good teacher is one who is able to inspire and to engage me enough as to make me fall in love with the subject she is taking, in turn guiding me towards academic success. She must be stringent enough to command respect, yet approachable enough to put the student at ease. Thus far, I have noticed many experienced teachers have employed the method of being mercilessly strict at first and kinder afterwards to achieve the above. It works somehow; scare the shit outta your lot first, get them to respect you, and then soften a little.

I mean this is all just my two cents worth. Whatever it is, above all the detestation and annoyance I have for one teacher or another, at the end of the day I do think that teaching is one of the most admirable professions around. And I do feel teachers all over the world work their ass off just to help batch after batch of students reap the fruits of their labour; really, I don't see how it's easy. Sometimes I wish I could be more outwardly empathetic to my teachers somehow. They just work so hard.



"Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea."

Something Jingwen and I were discussing about today in the free time we had before physics remedial was, what makes a good teacher. I guess today we so happened to be on the theme of teachers. Yup, having our very own teacher-based meeting.

Basically I've come to terms with myself what the definition I have of a good teacher is. You often hear people throwing out a long list of qualities and conditions that they feel makes an ideal teacher, after a while, the scope gets too broad and the image of a perfect teacher gets pretty elusive. However, I have finally decided on a definition that I like, of what is a good teacher.

To me, a good teacher is one who is able to inspire and to engage me enough as to make me fall in love with the subject she is taking, in turn guiding me towards academic success. She must be stringent enough to command respect, yet approachable enough to put the student at ease. Thus far, I have noticed many experienced teachers have employed the method of being mercilessly strict at first and kinder afterwards to achieve the above. It works somehow; scare the shit outta your lot first, get them to respect you, and then soften a little.

I mean this is all just my two cents worth. Whatever it is, above all the detestation and annoyance I have for one teacher or another, at the end of the day I do think that teaching is one of the most admirable professions around. And I do feel teachers all over the world work their ass off just to help batch after batch of students reap the fruits of their labour; really, I don't see how it's easy. Sometimes I wish I could be more outwardly empathetic to my teachers somehow. They just work so hard.



"Tea-cher. The one who makes the tea."