Qualities of a Great Educator

Sarah Wilde

McKay Student Ambassador

Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)

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At the McKay School of Education, we aspire to become great educators. But what does that look like exactly? BYU has a Christ-centered focused, and who better to pattern our teaching after than the Master Teacher? There is so much we can learn from the way Christ taught to inform our own teaching as we prepare to enter the field.

Christ Loves the Children

"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:14)

Whether you are teaching children, teenagers, or adults, loving your students will go a long way. When a student is acting out, it is hard to stay calm. Seeing your students as children of a Loving Father and Savior will help you to keep your cool and regain control of your classroom.

Christ Starts Where His Students Are, and Works From There

" How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes... And the did all eat, and were filled." (Mark 6: 38-42)

Students come from all different backgrounds, and no two children are going to be the same. Some students may be reading above grade level, some may be average readers, some may struggle to pay attention to their books, some may have learning disorders that make it hard to read, and some may be ELL students that have never seen the English alphabet. No matter where your students are at, you can help them improve. Identifying your students' weaknesses, strengths, and goals will help you both to have a positive experience in the classroom.

Christ Ministers to the Individual Needs of the One

"and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety" (3 Nephi 11:15)

Just like every student has different academic needs, every student has different physical and emotional needs as well. Being in tune with your students will help them feel safe in your classroom and enable them to learn. How can one teacher be in tune with every student? By seeing each student as a person. By addressing their needs one by one and making each child feel seen.

Below is a video featuring the Mission Statement of the McKay School. We encourage you to ponder it and apply Christ's example to your teaching career.

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