I can still remember my professor in college when I asked her, “How do you consider an effective teacher, or how can we call a teacher GREAT? And what she answered rather astounded me or perhaps baffled me. “Great teachers don’t teach.” As simple as that then followed by a smile. I was somewhat lost with her answer, but as I continue teaching in public school, I fully understand what she was saying back then.

We always ask ourselves what characteristics should compose a great teacher. And I always receive answers or even excellent remarks that describe what such a teacher does to be great at teaching. And I couldn’t help myself upon thinking about some of my best teachers when I was still studying.

I had an awesome psychology professor in college (whom I ask that question). She was always on fire every class discussion and his eagerness was really contagious. But the things I remembered most are the discipline she wanted to impose to us, the readiness in case she would tell on the spot that I need to discuss a topic which she assigned just yesterday and the alertness that we should always be prepared for any exam that was unannounced. Not only that. She provided experiences that created long term memories. Though strict, one can still feel her concern and care for her students. She really knows her subject and knows how to explain it. Not only a good teacher, but she was a good storyteller that somehow influenced me to become like her, to rivet my students’ attention.

Building a great teacher took me years to understand. Students learn best when they personally experience learning physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. We teachers can only be called great if we are able to engineer their learning and maneuver them into driving their lives and then we get out of the way, believing that they can survive their own fights.

The principle behind great teaching is simple. Students learn best when they are in control of their learning. Real learning requires doing, not merely listening or even observing. A great teacher’s job is to keep the students wanting to come to school just to see what interesting things they will fathom and discover each day.

The simple word “teacher” entails the flow of knowledge and skills from one person to another. Whether it be a lecture, or a power point, it involves “talking” to the students. Yes, there are times when direct instruction is necessary, but only to be able to do something with that knowledge or skill, but a great teacher devises learning experiences that force all the students to be engaged much like being in the edge of a cliff where he or she needs to decide. Then the lesson on arm and leg strokes becomes relevant. To learn, the students must do “something”.

And so, great teachers need not to teach; for what they do is to stack the deck of cards so that students have a reason to learn which is relevant rather than so idealistic or even unrealistic. It is “something” that they can be proud of in the future.  

Students may forget the theories or principles you taught them, but their experience counts most. And that, a great teacher can simply contribute to the whole being of every innocent soul that they meet inside the classroom.

By: Vilma S. Fernando | Master Teacher I Bataan National High School | Balanga City, Bataan