Learning is a complicated process that is often influenced by many factors. These factors include a student’s age, background, experience, and educational background. Each teacher possesses unique qualities that enable them to teach their subject matter more effectively, and these factors must be considered when discussing how effective a teacher is. For instance, one can argue that a teacher who is empathetic and understanding of a student’s needs is more effective in teaching that student than a teacher who demands strict adherence to rules. In my opinion, empathy and understanding are two qualities that a teacher must embody in order to be effective in educating students

The first characteristic that I believe to be most essential is empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings and emotions of people. It can be defined as the ability to relate to others and accept them for who they are. Empathy is important in teaching students because it enables a teacher to value their unique perspectives and enable them to feel cared about. For example, if a teacher is empathetic, she may notice that a student is distracted by a noisy and distracting environment. She may then provide a quiet place for the student to study, or louder music to drown out the noise. Empathy can also enable a teacher to create a community within the classroom. It has been shown to increase student engagement and motivation, and this sense of caring and belonging can strengthen a student’s desire to better themselves. Ultimately, empathy creates an environment that is conducive to learning

Without empathy, students may feel as though they are being taught by others with little regard for who they are. Furthermore, empathy allows a teacher to understand what challenges her students are dealing with outside of school. If a teacher is empathetic, she may notice an increase in anxiety in one of her students who have just suffered a serious loss. She may then offer support or a referral to a counselor or support group. Empathy can also aid a teacher in encouraging students who are struggling. For example, if a teacher notices that a student is having trouble with a particular concept, she may spend extra time going over that concept with her. She may encourage the student to ask questions or make corrections, or even provide extra practice to reinforce that concept. Empathy also enables a teacher to provide constructive criticism. If a teacher notices that a student is struggling in a certain subject, she may offer suggestions for how the student can improve his grade. She may tell him that she understands the frustration he is feeling, and that she knows he is capable of doing better. This encouraging and supportive attitude is an important aspect of learning, and empathy enables a teacher to provide it

To illustrate the second quality that I believe to be most important, I will contrast it with the view of another teacher, rigor. Rigor is defined as the quality of being demanding and exacting. It can be contrasted with empathy, which focuses on the quality of understanding. Rigor focuses on the content of knowledge, and a teacher’s desire to teach students what is necessary to succeed in life. Rigor is an important aspect of teaching, but empathy is also important, since empathy is what drives a teacher to teach students. A student who is motivated by empathy will be more motivated to learn, and this motivation can play a major role in a student’s success. Moreover, empathy allows a teacher to understand how to best teach students. If a teacher is empathetic, she may notice a student having a difficult time grasping a certain concept. She may use what she knows about that student to create a learning experience that is more tailored to that student’s learning style. She may then give that student special attention, and aim to give him every advantage. This individualized approach to teaching can create a strong bond between teacher and student. Furthermore, if a teacher is empathetic, she will have a greater desire to keep students on track with their coursework. This motivation can present itself in many different ways, such as by gently reminding students to complete their homework or exam within a specified deadline. A teacher who is empathetic also realizes that students learn at different speeds and will tailor her approach to each student accordingly. For example, if a teacher notices that one of her students is struggling to understand a certain concept, she may spend extra time going over it with him, or may assign him additional practice problems

The two qualities of compassion and empathy are critically important for an effective teacher. They allow a teacher to create a classroom that fosters motivation, acceptance, and excellence.