 Think about your favorite teacher – what characteristics did they have that allowed you to

learn? How do they act, how do they make you feel, what is special about them?
Over the years, I have come across amazing teachers and I'm thankful that I have gotten the
chance to meet them. They were patient and understanding. They brought positive energy and
were good listeners. They communicated with their students and built a relationship with them.
They all have the same characteristics that all educators have. They were supportive and caring.
They have taught me to keep going and helped me to accomplish the challenges I have ever
faced. They made me feel that I was a part of something big. I felt welcome in their classroom.
They made me happy. When things got tough and stressful, they managed to put their differences
aside in order to put the students first. They never made anyone uncomfortable or made them
feel low. It had an impact on my life with their guidance. I will always carry it with me. I will
miss how amazing they have done, and to their students' lives.
 Think about your least favorite teacher – what characteristics did they have that
prevented you from learning?
I was thankful to have great teachers throughout my elementary, middle, and high school. I felt
there were some teachers who did not make me feel welcome. Some of them were strict. Some
had an attitude and were less motivated to teach their students. They made no relationship being
made with other students. They did not make sure that not everyone was going along in class. I
was one of them. Being in their classroom and sitting at my desk while the other students
understood what was going on. I could not understand, and I was unsure of being open with the
teacher. It made me feel like I did not belong there. It has made it miserable for me to attend. I'm
not a fast learner. I have my ways to learn. I think there is no such thing as a bad teacher. But
without having a connection with your students, it makes it difficult to help them. I have gone
through that experience, and it was not simple to resolve it.
I am choosing to teach because I don't want other students to go through what I have
experienced. I want them to feel comfortable and to feel like they do matter. Being a teacher, we
don't know what's going through those doors once those students leave, we don't know if they're
having a hard time with their family or with their learning. I want them to feel like they can
confide in me as their educator. I want to welcome the students to a classroom where they feel
free and can trust me. What I need to do to be a good teacher is have a lot of practice in building
their trust and creating a relationship with the students. Such as sharing information about
myself, making connections, and motivating them to keep continuing moving forward. Be
supportive and be able to help them.