When reflecting on the education we have received throughout our lives, we can consider ourselves fortunate if we experienced a truly inspiring teacher. We are doubly fortunate if we encountered more than one teacher who inspired us. Being inspired is a special experience, often with lifelong effects. In fact, many of us chose education as our profession because of the influence of those who inspired us.
Of course, not every inspiring teacher inspires every student. Similarly, not every inspiring teacher presents the same or inspires students in the same ways. Inspirational teachers often possess a unique set of characteristics with which students connect. They are not necessarily brilliant, exceptionally charismatic, or unusually entertaining, even though we may default to these characteristics when asked to describe an inspiring teacher.
In fact, the characteristics of inspiring teachers may be inconspicuous, subtle, unusual, or downright surprising. Let’s explore seven characteristics that inspiring teachers often possess and demonstrate, including some that may be overlooked:
- Sense of awe and wonder. These teachers find life exciting and are eager to share their enthusiasm and sense of wonder. They have fresh perspectives and notice interesting details that others may overlook, and they appreciate beauty and are interested in the unusual. Students often describe the effects of these teachers as inspiring wonder and helping them to see learning and life with new eyes.
- High standards and high commitment. These teachers expect a lot, sometimes even to the point of seeming to be uncompromising. They may see more potential in students than students see in themselves. Meanwhile, they believe deeply that success is within reach for their students. When students struggle, their response is often to acknowledge that success is achievable—it’s just not here yet. Students feel the press of these teachers’ expectations and aspire to meet them.
- Enthusiasm and generosity. These teachers see learning as an exciting adventure, and they are eager to share the experience. They often behave much like learning docents by uncovering, sharing, and celebrating learning opportunities. Students feel that teaching and learning are experiences these teachers want to share with them, not force on them.
- Seeing and seeking. Listening, questioning, and exploring are part of the identity of inspiring teachers. These teachers are attentive to what students say—and what they leave unsaid. They are fully present, attentive, intuitive, and open in conversations and relationships; they want to learn about and from their students. Students often describe these teachers as making them feel truly seen as individuals who are worthy and full of potential.
- Scouting and developing talent. Teachers with this characteristic believe that every student has talent. They see their role as helping students to discover what makes them unique and special, develop their emerging talents, and leverage their gifts to become successful in learning and life. Students treasure the confidence they feel from these teachers and the freedom these teachers give them to be themselves and create their own paths.
- Quirky but comfortable. These teachers often seem to be marching to the beat of a different drum. They may have unusual habits and rituals, have unique ways of speaking, or demonstrate odd mannerisms. They may specialize in dad jokes, odd stories, and obscure observations, and they may have interests that are not typical or the norm. Yet, they are confident and comfortable in their identity. Students often find their quirkiness endearing and are drawn to these teachers because they are refreshingly different.
- Authentic and caring. These teachers seek meaningful relationships with their students that create a positive person-to-person connection, not just teacher and student. Sometimes they show how they care in ways that can seem contradictory to their usual warm demeanor. They may be prone to giving advice, and they may not hesitate to admonish. Often, they are generous with their time and limitless in their commitment. Regardless of how they communicate, students sense their desire to connect and respond to them.
So, what are we to take from this discussion? First, there is no single, universal set of characteristics that make a teacher inspiring. Inspiring teachers often possess their own unique set of characteristics. Second, just because someone has an unusual approach or varies from the norm does not mean that they are not inspirational. Third, we can be inspiring in our own way. We can own our uniqueness, be confident in who we are, and inspire our students through the connections we make and the experiences we share with them.
