Teachers wear many hats. A teacher’s job is never done inside or outside the classroom. Many of us can think back to our own years in school and name some of our favorite teachers-those who have inspired, supported, and encouraged us. When doing so, certain words may come to mind that describes that special educator.
12 Words to Describe Teachers
We’ve compiled a list of our top 12 words to describe our amazing teachers and why these qualities are fundamental in teaching.
This list gives educators something to strive for. Use it to think about how you plan lessons, interact with students, families, and colleagues, and represent yourself to others inside and outside of the classroom every day.
1. Hard-working
Learners of all ages need a hard-working teacher. Why? These teachers go above and beyond to ensure everyone’s needs are met and no one is left behind. They put in hours designing the best lessons that engage and inspire. Hard-working teachers aren’t afraid to think outside of the box and put in the time needed to prepare, execute, and reflect on hands-on lessons for all. A hard-working teacher is always two steps ahead and can anticipate their students’ needs at all times because they put the work in to truly get to know each and every one of them. This kind of teacher puts in lots of time prepping for experiments, manipulatives, and perfecting their transitions so that their lessons run smoothly and students are always active and learning.
2. Motivating
A motivating teacher always stands out whether they teach elementary, middle, or high school. Their lesson plans are spot on, and they stray from flat learning, always sparking the interest of others. Their lessons leave their learners wanting more. They awaken the senses, use multi-modality instruction modes, and make students want to be in the classroom. Out of all the positive adjectives listed, a motivating teacher may be the most important quality of any educator.
3. Empathetic
If you’re looking for the right words to describe a great teacher, empathy should undoubtedly be on the list. Empathy is a special skill that seems to be a teacher’s specialty. Always understanding their students, looking out for their well-being, and being able to put themselves in others’ shoes; the empathetic teacher can connect with a wide range of student needs and backgrounds. An empathetic teacher is deeply in touch with their students and makes it a point to get to know each child, their family, their struggles, and their successes. An empathetic teacher lets students know they are always there to help and listen!
"A hard-working teacher is always two steps ahead and can anticipate their students’ needs at all times because they put the work in to truly get to know each and every one of them."
4. Awe-inspiring
An awe-inspiring teacher has cutting-edge lesson plans that motivate, educate, and ignite a love of learning in elementary students to the high school setting. This quality leaves students and parents intrigued with instructional approaches and practices. They carry themselves in a way that screams poise, confidence, and authority without being over-authoritative. They are the teachers that never get forgotten, and stories about them always carry on their legacy.
5. Good-natured
A good-natured teacher is very important to all kinds of students. From children with special needs to ESL and students who come from challenging home settings, being good-natured is good for all students. Children who especially need a positive light in their world can always depend on a good-natured teacher, who is consistent, fair, reliable, friendly, and who provides a safe and structured environment for all of their students. They go out of their way to be kind, model kindness, and make small gestures that mean so much to certain students.
6. Crafty
A good teacher’s day is filled with creativity and craftiness. This kind of teacher can make any subject area fun, and they work in games and other hands-on activities across the curriculum. They make the best of their resources and put their own personal spin on activities and lessons. They are big thinkers and teach their students how to become big thinkers. A crafty teacher’s room is loaded with student work, is set up for cooperative learning, and promotes a positive rapport through its décor, style, and vibe.
"Out of all the positive adjectives listed, a motivating teacher may be the most important quality of any educator."
7. Scrupulous
Another must among a list of descriptive words of a great teacher is a scrupulous teacher who perseveres and sticks to their beliefs. They teach what’s necessary and are ultra self-assured. They possess confidence and poise and value fairness and equality. Their code of ethics is apparent and thorough with their instructional delivery and professional practices. They grade strictly and make their students work for and earn their grade, teaching them they get what they deserve. They help students make things happen through perseverance and pride.
::Related Article: Teachers, Appreciate Yourselves
8. Student-focused
A student-focused teacher does anything and everything good for their students. Period. Teachers who can be described in this manner know their students and their needs well and aren’t afraid to work hard, think creatively, and spend lots of time ensuring all of their students learn how they need to. They often run small groups that differentiate instruction. They keep portfolios of each student that document their growth and progress in each subject area. They follow the scope and sequence in their district’s curriculum but also are not afraid to put their own spin on things to ensure everyone learns in the manner they need to learn. A student-focused teacher has a flexible mindset and is amazing at assessing (both informally and formally) their student’s progress daily. This helps them make the best decisions for everyone!
9. Collaborative
Collaborative is also a word that describes many great teachers. When an educator can collaborate with others, they show that they are lifelong learners. This helps their students become lifelong learners as well. When they can collaborate with other teachers, they learn new practices, gain different insights, and help others effectively reach their students. When they can collaborate with parents and families, these special types of teachers allow learning to continue at home, support all educational stakeholders, and get what they need to make learning happen. When students view their teachers as natural collaborators, they are more likely to become collaborators as well with their classmates and peers. A collaborative teacher is able to speak with all kinds of families and can understand a wide range of backgrounds, demographics, and situations that students and families may face. They are able to work together with everyone to do what’s best for kids.
"Children who especially need a positive light in their world can always depend on a good-natured teacher, who is consistent, fair, reliable, friendly, and who provides a safe and structured environment for all of their students."
10. Patient
When thinking about the best teacher in your life at one point or another, you most likely will remember their patience. A patient teacher is another key characteristic of a great teacher. These kinds of teachers aren’t afraid to provide plenty of wait time, give one-on-one assistance, lend an ear, and let students express themselves. They step back when students need space but swoop in when they are ready. They don’t yell, belittle, use sarcasm, or ever rush a student-especially a struggling student. They are not self-absorbed and put themselves last in the classroom to wait for what other students want or need. A patient teacher sees something positive in all of their students and is willing to hit the pause button for their students to see their personal potential. A patient teacher will also guide their students and never give up if they aren’t making academic or social progress as quickly as they would like.
11. Level-headed
Many students need consistency in their lives. Many students come from undesirable and unstable backgrounds. The last thing these students need is to feel unsafe or unsupported in school. They come to school to escape the chaos in their home that so many students experience. This is why a great teacher is also a very level-headed teacher. Students always know what’s expected of them from a level-headed teacher because they can rely on the fact that these teachers are calm, pragmatic, and supportive. A level-headed teacher knows exactly how to handle any situation, and their body language and tone of voice also reflects this special quality. Nothing gets a level-headed teacher heated, and they can breathe and think through the most difficult situations.
Visit our Social-Emotional Learning Hub for activities and strategies you can use to support your students to develop essential social-emotional skills.
12. Easy Going
Any teacher will tell you that every day in the classroom never goes as planned. That’s why so many excellent teachers can be described as easy-going. They don’t sweat the small stuff or get rattled easily when their plans have to change. They go with the flow if most of their class is stuck on a skill, and they don’t get upset when they have to backtrack and remediate to make sure students learn- even if it takes longer than planned. An easy-going teacher doesn’t complain about assemblies, visitors, or fire drills that pop up because they know these events are a part of their day-to-day job. They roll with punches and adjust their plans accordingly, and they never get frustrated with co-workers who make mistakes or when students act out. This teacher trait isn’t something that can be learned in college prep programs, but on-the-job learning as they go. When a teacher is seen as easy going,
"A student-focused teacher does anything and everything good for their students. Period."
In conclusion, a teacher is a special person inside and out. They can be described in many different ways. However, a great teacher can most accurately be described with these 12 words perfectly.
After reading through this list, would you use these words to describe an educator who has made a difference in your life and still stands out to you? Would you be described this way by your own students?
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