The Perfect Teacher

My View of the Ideal Teacher

The ideal teacher has a lasting positive impression on her students. I have had multiple positive student teacher experiences through my many years of formal education. Until this assignment, I had not spent a great deal of time contemplating the attributes of an ideal teacher. As most of the education majors, I want to have a positive impact on children’s lives and have them leave my classroom with greater knowledge than they entered it. During my most formative years I was exposed to the finest teacher I have ever met. When my mother became disabled, by grandmother, a disabled teacher, came to live with my nuclear family. The daily childrearing activities were completed by this grandmother. When my brothers got off the school bus, a snack, a drink and “homework” were waiting on the kitchen table. Every school day was the same. When it came to our education, structure and having a constant routine was foremost in our home. The boys completed schoolwork or worked on study books and I worked on learning basics so I would be prepared for kindergarten. Our grandmother was always patient, yet firm.
As I traveled through the public school system there were many teachers that stood out with ideal characteristics. Mrs. Pearson taught me in first grade, that teachers could be strict, and not very “pleasant” (so it seemed) and still be interested in the highest capabilities of each student. In second grade, Mrs. Pendergrass, taught me a teacher can be eccentric, colorful, patient and compassionate and be concerned with the highest capabilities of each student. The teachers of my first two years of elementary school were completely opposite of each other and I adored one and thought I despised the other. Mrs. Pearson continues to influence my life, as she taught me home education strategies in the Parents as Teachers program and I continue to see her substitute in local public schools. They were both ideal and garner my complete respect to this day.
Fifth grade through high school I participated in marching band. The director was passionate about his music and students. As an instructor he probably crossed the boundaries of teacher-student separation many times. He was understanding, interesting and entertaining. Mr. D. Was also a confidant for many students, befriending a multitude of us.
I found that one of my favorite teachers in high school, whom I thought was ideal, really has not had a lasting educational impact on me. I felt that I was learning in his math classes, and I could readily answer his questions. When testing time came, we were allowed to use our books. I believed that open book was an excellent idea! Yet, when it was time for the ACT it contained many geometry problems and I had struggled with that class, but hadn’t been challenged much… I always had my book open. I could no longer remember the algebra equations that I had “learned” so easily, yet hadn’t been challenged on during examinations. I believe the challenge of not having the book open would have been a far more ideal learning environment, and would have made my math teacher more ideal.
As an elementary education major, I still have an idealistic view of teaching and teachers. I see the classroom and the impact I can make through rose colored lenses. While sitting and contemplating the ideal teacher I have discovered that my goals, in becoming an ideal teacher, are to be patient, flexible, creative and caring. I want to rejuvenate my class when they feel weighed down. Supportiveness, sensitivity and understanding are foremost, and being interesting are necessary for educating small children. As I look at the list above I know that children want those items in a teacher, yet they need more. Students need educators to be challenging, organized, firm, professional and always in control. The ideal teacher needs to find the correct ratio of characteristics. An ideal teacher is someone an adult reflects back on as having made a lasting difference in their life.