Simple but Effective Ways to be a Great Teacher

The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains. 
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires. -William A. Ward
Looking to really connect with your students?

1) A Great Teacher Will Always Be There-

If you are not in your classroom, you are not teaching.
Yes, teachers must take days off occasionally,
but do not make it a habit.
If you are feeling a little sick, unless it is serious, show up!
A sick regular teacher is ten times
better for his or her students than a healthy sub is.
Regular attendance is a must.
Be proud to have a perfect attendance record.
2) A Great Teacher is Accessible
You need to help your students at all times.
That means before school, during lunch, and after school.
No, you do not have to do it all the time.
Start out with something like two days a week 
before school, lunch, and after school. 
You are the best tutor your students can get. Teach them!
3) Great Teachers Know Their Students 
on a Personal Basis- Talk to them during lessons.
What is their favorite music? TV? Movies?
Talk to them in the hallways. 
The more you know, the more you can adapt.
It is easy to converse during class time.
Little comments between concepts can go a long way.
If some show up early for class, you can really get personal.
No class time? Pass out a questionnaire.
Above all, learn their names quickly!
4) A Great Teacher Knows Many Parents- Get phone numbers.
Make two calls a day to parents. If you can, make more.
They do not need to be long. Just a short hello and 
that you are interested in their child.
In just a short time, you can indeed make contact
to at least one parent of each student.
Parents can be your biggest ally. 
Students will perform and behave better
if they know you are talking to their parents.
5) A Great Teacher Knows What They are Teaching
If you do not know what you are doing, how can you teach?
This involves complete preparation.
6) A Great Teacher Attends school events
Make yourself seen at school sports and performances.
Being seen in this setting shows students
you care about them and support them.
7) A Great Teacher Lives in or Visits the Neighborhood
If you do not live in the same place as your school,
make some visits on weekends.
Go to a local place to eat. Shop at a local store.
Many of your students may have parents who own local businesses.
Patronize them. Visit a church. The more your students see you,
the more they will be willing to behave in class.
They will see you as someone who is willing to be on their level.
8) A Great Teacher Eats Lunch on Campus
Wander around at lunch and sit at a student table.
Buy a school lunch and join them.
Many students help sell food. Make a point to buy something.
9) A Great Teacher is Always Fair
Expect the best, but be flexible.
Fairness does not have to mean leniency
It simply means to grade your students on a balanced scale.
10) Great Teachers Never lose Their Cool
Bite your tongue. All things will pass. Never carry a grudge.
Things in your classroom will happen.
This goes hand in hand with being professional.
Acting like a raving lunatic is a sure way to shorten your career.

Certainly,a great teacher:

- Has the ability  to  be flexible, optimistic, self-reflective,
progressive, and innovative;
- Must possess the ability to  build relationships with  students
and  teachers  and have  a passion for teaching;
- Excites  a passion  for learning  in his  or her students  through
skillful  facilitation, using 21st-century tools;
- Goes beyond  the classroom  as a collaborator with  colleagues;
- Wants  to improve  himself or herself  by  learning  good
instructional  skills;
-ls someone who  knows the curriculum  and works well  as part
of a team;
- Builds  relationships  and  facilitates lifelong  learning;
- Collaborates  with families,  peers,  and  the community;
- Shows appreciation  and  enthusiasm for  cultural  differences;
- Inspires others to achieve  their  potential;
- Understands  the  complexity of the teaching  and learning
environment;
- Has consistently  high  expectations for all  students;
- Recognizes and  adapts  when he  or  she isn't getting  through to
students;
- Addresses the  needs  of the whole  child;

- Admitting making a mistake and knowing how to recover successfully.
- Uses  assessment to inform instructional  decision  making; and
- Gives back through  mentoring