Personal Attributes of a Teacher

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

 Basically means traits that make up your personality, which define who you are as a
person. For example these could be personal attributes to describe someone: outgoing,
extrovert, open. They are important because they are what makes you who you are,
what other people find in you that they may like or dislike.

 Is the sum of one’s personal characteristics. It is one’s identity.

 Personality Is the particular combination of emotional, attitudinal, and behavioral

response patterns of an individual.

 Teachers are judged more strictly than other professionals. The personality they project
determines the impressions they make upon students and colleagues. Their poise,
bearing, manner of dressing and facial expression have an impact on their interaction
with students.

 A teacher's personality must be natural and genuine, devoid of pretenses and artificiality.
They must be consistent, true, and authentic.

 Personalities may be described as authoritarian, weak, dynamic, or “magnetic”.

Teachers’ personality must be natural and genuine, that is, devoid of pretenses and
artificiality. They must be consistent, true and authentic.

Some Personal Attributes of a Teacher

1. PASSION FOR TEACHING

Passion for teaching is a compelling force that emerges from teachers’ love for
children. A person should enter the teaching profession they must first have a
love of learning and be willing to share this passion with students. They need to
truly enjoy working with a particular age group of children. Passion does not die
nor diminish. Their passion for teaching make them feel they “will live and die a
teacher”

Teachers who are passionate exude spontaneity in ministering to the needs of

the students especially those experiencing learning difficulties. Their passion
drives them to care for their students and use appropriate reformative action.

2. SENSE OF HUMOR

A teacher should be expected to have a sense of humor Teachers’ humor

connects them with their students like a magnet. They help in merging two worlds
 –youth and maturity. When they laugh together, young and old, teachers and
students, they cease to be conscious of their age difference. They enjoy as a
group, thus promote a spirit of togetherness. A clean joke will always elicit
rapport in a learning environment.

3. WITH GOOD VALUES AND RIGHT ATTITUDE

As a teacher you must create a good values and right attitude towards your
work and towards your student. Teachers are models of values. Whether
conscious of them or not, values are exhibited implicitly and explicitly. Values
connote standards, code of ethics and strong belief.
a. OPEN-MINDEDNESS
Is receptiveness to new ideas- According to Dean Tjosvold (from Simon
Fraser University, Hong Kong), it is the way in which people approach the
views and knowledge of others and “incorporate the beliefs that others
should be free to express their views and that the value of others
knowledge should be recognized”.
b. FAIRNESS AND IMPARTIALITY

Fairness and impartiality in treating students eliminate discrimination.

Teachers must be unbiased and objective in judging their work and
performance. Avoid preferential considerations that result to negative
response and indifference. Objective evaluations are easily accepted and
gratefully acknowledged. Fairness inculcates self-confidence and trust
among students.

c. SINCERITY AND HONESTY

Are values exhibited in words and actions- Teachers interact with

students every minute. Their mannerisms, habits and speech are
watched and at times imitated. Therefore teachers must show their real
self, devoid of pretenses and half- truths. Sincerity dictates that they stick
to the truth, to the extend of accepting what they so not know about the
lesson. Sincerity and honesty are taken as openness in dealing with
others.

d. PROFESSIONALISM

Is highly treasured in the teaching profession. Teachers are adjudged

professional if they are knowledgeable, skilled and value-laden. In
addition to competence in teaching, they must have internalized the
edicts of the profession, thus exhibit ethical and moral conduct.

4. COMPASSION
 Especially during this pandemic, there is a need of being concerned about
students’ personal problems and can relate to them and their problems.
Numerous stories established how the sensitivity and compassion of caring
teachers affected them in profound and lasting ways.
5. PATIENCE

In teaching, patience refers to a teacher’s uncomplaining nature, self-control and

persistence. Patient teachers can forego momentous frustrations and
disappointments. Instead they calmly endure their students’ limitations and
difficulties.

6. ENTHUSIASM
Enthusiastic teachers are full of energy and dynamism. Their passion and love
for children are easily felt. Everyone anticipates an interesting and enjoyable
learning activity. Unfortunately, not all teachers are born with an alert and zestful
disposition. With enthusiastic teachers, students look forward to any activity they
can participate in with them. Enthusiastic is a gift. It is contagious and can
instantly affect children’s mood. It connects teachers to parents.
7. COMMITMENT

It is a “solemn promise” to perform the duties and responsibilities mandated by

the laws and code of ethics of the profession. A Teacher’s commitment is a key
factor influencing the teaching-learning process. It is the psychological
identification of the individual teacher with the school and the subject matter or
goals, and the intention of the teacher to maintain organizational membership
and become involved in the job well beyond personal interest.
According to this view, the higher the teacher’s psychological identification is, the
higher his or her sense of commitment will be.
is the teacher’s positive emotional attachment to the school for the learning of the
students. A teacher who is affectively committed strongly identifies with the goals
of the school and desires to remain a part of it. This teacher commits to the
school because he/she want to.

References:

 Corpuz, B. Ph. D. and Salandanan, G. G. Ph. D. (2007), Principles of Teaching I.

Lolimar Publishing, Inc. https://www.scribd.com/doc/154229478/Module-1-Principle-of-
Teaching
 Walker, R. J. (2008). Twelve Characteristics of an Effective Teacher: A Longitudinal,
Qualitative, Quasi-Research Study of In-service and Pre-service Teachers’ Opinions.
Educational Horizons. ISSN-0013-175X. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ815372.pdf
 Elcomblus (2020, September 26). Personal and Professional Attributes of a Teacher.
https://www.elcomblus.com/personal-and-professional-attributes-of-a-teacher/