Action #10 Study Effective Teachers

The following interviews were conducted to see what characteristics make an effective teacher from the perspective of various Goshen College students.


Jocelyn Miller: Sophomore, Nursing Major

"A teacher who can teach at all angles, who can teach people who have different ways of learning. I also think an effective teacher can incorporate fun times with studies. They except people with disabilities and go at a pace that is helpful for everyone. It may not be just a person with a disability, but the teacher adapts to the different levels of the students. An effective teacher is always there for explanations and is helpful in every way to a student."



Allison Hawkins: Sophomore, Business Major

"I feel that a teacher who can integrate real life applications into the classroom is an effective teacher. The teacher doesn't just teach concepts, but makes things applicable. They also enjoy teaching and can tell that they enjoy it. They relate to their students and can pull their students into what they're learning with their effective teaching style."



Timothy Blaum: Sophomore, Communication Major

"They have to take personal care or have a personal interest in their students. They have to like what they are talking about. They have to present things in unique ways, not just lecturing all the time. They need to get feedback from the students, just as much as we get feedback from them. I find that my effective professors tend to be involved in other things around campus. They have a sense of humor."



Kaylee Pichardo: Sophomore, Business Major

"An effective teacher is someone who is well organized and prepared for their daily lessons in which they include things that prepare their students for the future. They teach in ways that the students will understand the material and in ways that the students will want to participate. Someone who has a mixture of teaching styles and methods so that all students are able to enjoy learning because all students have different learning abilities. "




Brittany Hershberger: Sophomore, Biology Major

"A teacher who is able to reach all students with their methods of teaching. They care a lot about their students and build relationships with them. They make the learning process fun and use different methods so that all students can learn in their different ways."




Allison Miller: Freshman, Special Education Major

"Somebody who actually cares about who the student is as a person and they can develop more of a personal relationship with the student because I think it is important if you know if your student has certain disabilities and can cater to those disabilities. You don't just want to make your student another number in the class. The teacher is not someone to be afraid of but someone you can go to for help. Teachers are more effective when you feel you can go to them for anything."



Chloe Mathonnet-Vanderwell: Freshman, Sociology Major

"An effective teacher is somone who enables the students to think critically and asks deeper questions. Teachers shouldn't just ask their students to memorize trivial facts, but help develop the mind. Effective teachers like to make their classes fun and actually enjoy what they are teaching."





Sara Padilla: Freshman, Nursing Major

"A teacher who has mastered different learning styles and is able to teach them effectively, therefore they can teach a range of students and each student can be satisfied in terms of their different learning needs. They have a personal or good relationship with the student, this opens it up for the student and enables them to be more comfortable with the teacher."




Jordan Swartzendruber: Senior, Communication Major

"In my experience, a teacher who cares about educating their students has been those most effective. Also, they have different teaching methods that engage different types of learners. They have a lot of energy when they teach and care about their students on a personal level."




Jeffrey Hochstetler: Senior, Business and History Major

"Someone who is able to empathize with their students. They make it their responsibility to see their students succeed. Good teachers for me have always been good role models; they are respected in their communities, in their homes, and in the classroom."



All of these interviews have opened my eyes to what an effective teacher looks like in the eyes of a student. As a perspective teacher myself, it is important to know what kind of teaching styles or methods are most effective for students. Based off of these interviews, I need to be the kind of teacher that relates to students, prepares them for the future, adapts to all different learners, and holds a unique and fun classroom setting.