What Makes a Good Teacher

Sarah Wilde

McKay Student Ambassador

Special Education (Severe/Profound Disabilities Emphasis)

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As we move through our programs, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything we are expected to learn, lesson planning, classroom management, policies, procedures, and countless other responsibilities. All of this can make us pause and ask: What truly matters most in teaching? What actually makes a teacher good? Surprisingly, it has far less to do with memorizing rules and far more to do with the heart behind the work. The best teachers understand that the center of everything they do is the students. A good teacher reflects the qualities of Christ in their teaching, creating a classroom where every student feels valued, understood, and loved.

Adaptability

A good teacher prioritizes their students and their needs above rigid plans. Sometimes this means adjusting a lesson on the spot, shifting activities, slowing down, speeding up, or providing more support depending on attention levels, emotional needs, or unexpected circumstances. While teaching content is important, helping students feel safe, seen, and cared for will always be a teacher’s highest priority.

Humility

A good teacher understands the value of feedback. Teaching is challenging, and sometimes the hardest thing to hear is how you can improve. But being willing to accept and apply constructive feedback leads to real growth. Teachers also navigate relationships with principals, parents, and other school personnel, some easier than others. Humility allows a teacher to handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. While a good teacher never compromises the needs of their students, they strive to resolve conflicts respectfully and work harmoniously with others.

Celestial Thinking

A good teacher recognizes the eternal potential within every student. Each child is a beloved son or daughter of God, deserving of care, guidance, and opportunities to grow. The knowledge we gain in this life is something we carry with us beyond mortality. A Christlike teacher seeks to teach the way the Savior would, patiently, lovingly, and by the Spirit. Christ is the Master Teacher, and He entrusts earthly teachers with the sacred responsibility of helping His children learn and progress. Teaching by the Spirit allows teachers to know what the Savior would have them share with their students.

In the end, being a good teacher is not determined by perfectly understanding every rule or mastering every system. It is defined by your love for your students and your commitment to their growth. Students can tell when they are loved. Parents can feel when their children are loved. And when students know you care about them, they are far more willing to try, to stretch, to work, and ultimately, to grow. A good teacher loves their students, and the more a student feels loved, the more they are able to flourish.

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