WHAT FUTURE FOR EDUCATION?

by University of London & UCL Institute of Education

Journal Entry for Week 3

A Good Teacher Must Show Empathy and Observant

Steve Bamidele Owaduge
Deputy Chief Tutor
Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Akure, Nigeria.
steveowaduge@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

We must always acknowledge the fact that without the efforts of our teachers we would never be
what we are. Mark Van Doren, a literary critic and English professor, in his words he said “The
art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” Without the efforts of teachers, mankind would
not have progressed. At times we forget the energy, time and attention our teachers invested on
us. It is not good enough to neglect the efforts of teachers who helped us to achieve great heights.

REFLECTION

I want to reflect on my days in secondary school. I was asked to repeat Form 4 (equivalent to
SS2 in the new Nigeria Education System). I was lost in the path of life. I don’t have anybody to
turn to for advice but my Class Teacher, Mrs. Alakika. If not for her intervention, I almost
dropped out of school. Her advice was life-changing.

I consider Mrs Alatika as a good teacher. Although, I don’t recall any of the learning that took
place nor how the classroom looked. What I do remember is her support and how she made me
feel. Supportive student-teacher relationships boost achievement, and protect kids from the
effects of stress (Gwen, 2020). As a class teacher, she made an effort to know and value me at a
time when I was plagued with self doubt. I felt safe, I felt important, and I wanted to learn.

Other students taught by her have the same conclusions about her. She had all the time in the
world for us. She would sit and chat with us at break times, during lessons and after the school
hours. In a sea of adolescent dramas, she provided waves of empathy and advice. She asked
about our home lives, our friends, and our interests. Students who experience high quality
student-teacher relationships in the early years tend to have fewer behaviour problems later on
(Hamre and Piata 2001; Rudasill et al 2010). Student-teacher relationships are key to students'
academic, social and emotional development, and consequently may affect the social and
learning environments of classrooms and schools (Sabol & Pianta, 2012 cited in Owaduge,
2020). To all her students, Mrs. Alatika was a good teacher par excellence.

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GOOD TEACHER

A good teacher can make a world of difference in a student's life, impacting everything from
their classroom learning to their long term success. If you're considering a career in education,
it's important to explore the qualities of a good teacher (Emily, 2019). Raudys (2018) discovered
six key behaviours that make a good teacher:

o A good teacher instills confidence

o A good teacher manages the classroom effectively
o A good teacher is prepared
o A good teacher sets high expectations
o A good teacher practices self-reflection
o A good teacher uses teaching strategies

FINAL NOTE

There is no single answer to the question of what makes a good teacher. Therefore, I will like to
conclude that a good teacher must be observant, attentive, and empathetic and always have a
positive attitude toward his or her students. According to Adele, 2016, a good teacher must treat
each student as an individual, by being empathetic and understanding to what may be going on in
their lives.

REFERENCES

Adele O'Leary, 2016. A teacher to remember. Life-Changers. Retrieved from: http://blog.core-

ed.org/blog/2016/03/a-teacher-to-remember.html

Emily Dennison (2019). 10 Qualities of a Good Teacher. Grow as a Teacher. Retrieved from:
https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/2017/12/qualities-of-a-good-teacher

Gwen Dewar (2020) Student-teacher relationships: Why emotional support matters. Retrieved
from: https://www.parentingscience.com/student-teacher-relationships.html

Hamre BK and Pianta RC. 2001. Early teacher-child relationships and the trajectory of children's
school outcomes through eighth grade. Child Dev. 72(2):625-38.

Justin Raudys (2018). The 6 Qualities of a Good Teacher. Teaching Strategies. Retrieved from:
https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/qualities-of-a-good-teacher/

Owaduge, Steve Bamidele (2020) The Critical Factors to Consider When Engaging the Three
Way Relationship in Planning a Teaching and Learning Session. Foundations of
Teaching for Learning: Curriculum. The Commonwealth Education Trust. Peer
Assessment 2; Week 4, 8TH May 2020

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Rudasill KM, Reio TG Jr, Stipanovic N, and Taylor JE. 2010. A longitudinal study of student-
teacher relationship quality, difficult temperament, and risky behavior from childhood to
early adolescence. J Sch Psychol. 48(5):389-412.

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