How do you define a good teacher?

[Scott Bolinger]

I wanted to see the different ways in which people define a good teacher.

What is his/her teaching style, is (s)he strict, humorous, does (s)he connect with his/her students or just get through the material, how does (s)he teach the material? How do the students feel about him/her?

It's a tough question I'll admit, so if you prefer, tell me about a good MA teacher that you've had or seen.

Basically, the way I teach may depend on what we actually need to work on. I allways have a standard routine I go through till the kicks and punches start looking good, then we advance a bit on what I teach. But, we go back and forth from a standard karate class to more of a boxing class and also teaching how to get better tone. So basically I teach in a format that produces professional athletes.

[marie curie]

I'd say for the best teacher, someone who could communicate well, and adapt to each student without sacrificing the class as a whole. He/She would be someone enjoyable to be around and someone you could look up to.

[bushido_man96]

Basically, the way I teach may depend on what we actually need to work on. I allways have a standard routine I go through till the kicks and punches start looking good, then we advance a bit on what I teach. But, we go back and forth from a standard karate class to more of a boxing class and also teaching how to get better tone. So basically I teach in a format that produces professional athletes.

That sounds like a great setup. Welcome to the Forums!

[Killer Miller]

"My way - or the Highway!"

lol

- Killer -

[Zanshin]

Being able to explain how to do Jun-tsuki / Oi-tsuki well. And making it make sense.

How to move well and to get his/her students to replicate them

[CloudDragon]

First, knowing something is different from being able to teach someone, as was stated here earlier. I have been the student of some incredibly intelligent people who couldn't teach a pre-schooler how to tie velcro shoes.

I have found the most captivating, and beneficial teachers had an "infectious passion" for their art. This usually was shown in a dynamic, humorous personality that struck a balance with fair discipline and an ability to push students farther than they thought possible.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

First, knowing something is different from being able to teach someone, as was stated here earlier. I have been the student of some incredibly intelligent people who couldn't teach a pre-schooler how to tie velcro shoes.

I have found the most captivating, and beneficial teachers had an "infectious passion" for their art. This usually was shown in a dynamic, humorous personality that struck a balance with fair discipline and an ability to push students farther than they thought possible.

wow im pretty sure you nailed that in your last few sentances. and yes knowing things says nothing about your teaching ability. i am the only instructor of my rank at my school and theres about five others at my rank, one is a huge man, with a my way or the highway attitude and when he doesnt like what youre doing or how your stance looks he steps on you, let me tell you he's going to step on the wrong person someday. and another one is an over zealous female who has so much enthusiasm and is so excited to teach that shes obnoxious. and do both of them know what THEY are doing? absolutely. can the teach worth a hill of beans? nope. great points and nicely said clouddragon!

[kittyblue-eyes]

Be ware of playing favorites, or anti-favorites.

One of our sensei's has an obvious dislike for a student he feels 'doesn't try'. He pounds on him (yellow belt) and picks on him. On the other hand his (sensei's) wife is also in the class and he pays far more attention to her than other students. For example he'll watch 4 people do the same kata and the critiques will go, one for wife, one for the other three in general, one for wife, one for other three in general etc. She's a very good karate-ka, but that's partly due to her always receiving specific feedback on all of her tecniques while the rest of us just try to apply the general stuff to ourselves. It's a small class, so there is plenty of time to critique everyone in detail.

[chuck7413]

Some of the things that I try to do and have seen in other teachers that I admire are:

1. Keep the whole class motivated. It is too easy to teach the good students and forget the average student.

2. Adapt teaching style to student. Some learn by hearing, some by seeing and some you have to physically move their body to make them understand the movement.

3. Maintain a sense of humor and fun during class without giving up control. This is very hard to do.

[bushido_man96]

Some of the things that I try to do and have seen in other teachers that I admire are:

1. Keep the whole class motivated. It is too easy to teach the good students and forget the average student.

2. Adapt teaching style to student. Some learn by hearing, some by seeing and some you have to physically move their body to make them understand the movement.

3. Maintain a sense of humor and fun during class without giving up control. This is very hard to do.

Excellent points, especially the first one. I always tell the younger black belts who get frustrated with teaching some of the orientations that it is always easy to teach the talented students. Teaching everyone else takes someone special.