Full Version: What Makes A Teacher "good"?
What do you think are the most important qualities for a private instrumental tutor to have? (Let's assume sufficient knowledge of the subject matter.) And what are the worst?
Good teachers? Flexible approach, an ability to tackle a given problem in more than one way, an understanding of the difference between an important mistake and an unimportant one. An ability to communicate in different ways and an ability to tune in to different personalities and make the best of these.
Bad ones? Rigidity, picking up on each and every mistake and insisting on each being corrected before moving on, not having the ability to perceive when pupils are stressed by their approach or not understanding, giving in to and showing frustration. One of the worst comments I ever heard was "you're so slow".
Bad ones? Rigidity, picking up on each and every mistake and insisting on each being corrected before moving on, not having the ability to perceive when pupils are stressed by their approach or not understanding, giving in to and showing frustration. One of the worst comments I ever heard was "you're so slow".
A good teacher?
1. Ability to communicate - clearly, firmly (with kids) and tactfully (what to say but more importantly, what not to say). Encouraging in effect.
2. Endless patience.
3. Creative - can use different approaches/methods/strategies if one or the other does not seem to be working.
A sense of humour and an ability to inspire would be added bonuses!
A poor teacher would be the opposite, I guess...
PS.
My daughter has an absolutely wonderful teacher and I'm trying to work out how else he could be better or what weakness he may have but I'm having a splitting headache and a slight fever right now, so, this will have to wait till I'm better.
Good night.
1. Ability to communicate - clearly, firmly (with kids) and tactfully (what to say but more importantly, what not to say). Encouraging in effect.
2. Endless patience.
3. Creative - can use different approaches/methods/strategies if one or the other does not seem to be working.
A sense of humour and an ability to inspire would be added bonuses!
A poor teacher would be the opposite, I guess...
PS.
My daughter has an absolutely wonderful teacher and I'm trying to work out how else he could be better or what weakness he may have but I'm having a splitting headache and a slight fever right now, so, this will have to wait till I'm better.
Good night.
One with bags of enthusisum and an ability to inspire their pupil's!
I recently came across this quote by Nick Williams, which I think expresses it perfectly:
"when you spend time with a good teacher, you leave knowing how wonderful and holy they are, but when you spend time with a truly great teacher you leave knowing how holy and wonderful you and everyone else is. Great teachers simply remind us of what we've forgotten."
This really does resonate with me. Two or three years ago I had a couple of lessons with a local violin teacher with a very good reputation. I left both lessons feeling thoroughly useless as though I would never be able to do it. In the end I gave up.
Then last year I started lessons with a different teacher. Usually (not always but very often!) I come away from lessons feeling on top of everything, that I can do it, that anything is possible. I have since discovered that, actually, I am not useless.
"when you spend time with a good teacher, you leave knowing how wonderful and holy they are, but when you spend time with a truly great teacher you leave knowing how holy and wonderful you and everyone else is. Great teachers simply remind us of what we've forgotten."
This really does resonate with me. Two or three years ago I had a couple of lessons with a local violin teacher with a very good reputation. I left both lessons feeling thoroughly useless as though I would never be able to do it. In the end I gave up.
Then last year I started lessons with a different teacher. Usually (not always but very often!) I come away from lessons feeling on top of everything, that I can do it, that anything is possible. I have since discovered that, actually, I am not useless.
Understands that everyone learns in a different way and can adapt the teaching approach to suit each individual.
Knows and understands fully the technique of playing the instrument.
Enjoys passing on their knowledge.
Has a good supply of ideas to re-inspire those who feel their playing has gone stale.
Treats their pupils as they would wish to be treated themselves: with respect. A friendly approach with patience, and a good sense of humour is also important, one that doesn't leave the pupil feeling intimidated or indeed useless.
A good teacher is also someone who seeks to keep their own skills up-to-date and welcomes constructive advice from others.
Knows and understands fully the technique of playing the instrument.
Enjoys passing on their knowledge.
Has a good supply of ideas to re-inspire those who feel their playing has gone stale.
Treats their pupils as they would wish to be treated themselves: with respect. A friendly approach with patience, and a good sense of humour is also important, one that doesn't leave the pupil feeling intimidated or indeed useless.
A good teacher is also someone who seeks to keep their own skills up-to-date and welcomes constructive advice from others.
1) Passionate - about teaching and music
2) Communicates and understands pupils
3) Seeks to improve - both students and themselves
2) Communicates and understands pupils
3) Seeks to improve - both students and themselves
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