Good teachers know how to meet the needs of her students. Each child has his or her own particular learning style. Some students are auditory learners, others are visual or bodily-kinesthetic. Knowing the learning styles of students is important when the teacher is choosing lesson plans. A good teacher will use a variety of visual, auditory and hands-on activities during lessons. A good teacher will also make modifications for students who are learning disabled. The classroom will more than likely have students who suffer from ADD/ADHD, dyslexia or autism. This kind of individualized approach personalizes the educational experience for each child.
Good teaching is based on research proven methods. Teachers attend school for quite some time to learn how to use these research proven methods to their advantage. Education is somewhat of a trend-setting world; it's constantly evolving and what may be popular one minute, is out the next. As of 2011, subjects like science, math and technology have become a big focus. Many highly qualified educators have conducted studies on the best ways to teach students in these subject areas. Higher order thinking and critical thinking skills are highly valued. Educational and academic journals are helpful sources for finding research based teaching methods. Professional development courses for teachers are another good source for finding current methods of teaching; good teachers are always looking for ways to improve their techniques.
Age appropriate lesson plans are an essential part of what represents good teaching. A lesson plan intended for a first grade student isn't going to sit well with a fourth grade student. The younger the student, the easier the content should be. For example, students in first grade should be learning how to read, how to add and subtract single and double digit numbers and how to perform simple science experiments. Good teaching fits the lesson to the age of the student.
Compassion and understanding are important components of good teaching. A teacher should care about the well-being of her students. If the teacher is only there to collect a pay check, it shows in her work. Her lesson plans need to appeal to the students, and she needs to be enthusiastic about the subject matter. If a student is having difficulty with an aspect of the lesson, a good teacher will help by finding alternative ways of explanation and exploration. Without compassion and understanding, a teacher cannot be successful in the classroom.