The qualities of a good teacher are many and it matters little whether he is a university, college or school teacher because his contribution to the society he is living in, is diverse as well as significant. A person’s role as a teacher has far-reaching influences and, undoubtedly, no other personality can have a more profound influence than a teacher.

At every stage of teaching, students are deeply influenced by a teacher’s love and affection, his character, his competence and his moral commitment. A popular teacher is a role model for his students. The students try to follow their teacher in his manners, dress, etiquette and style of conversation.

During children’s early education, students tend to determine their aims in life and their future plans. A good and visionary teacher can play a prominent role in establishing the future of his students.

When we speak of quality teachers, it means that a teacher must be a symbol of faith and should have a fairly good knowledge of the subject. He should feel that his students have been entrusted to him and he should avoid any breach of that trust. He should be a sociable person with his roots in the community. People should take him as their well-wisher and a sincere friend who cares for children. It should be ascertained at all costs that a candidate for this profession has a natural acumen and aptitude for teaching. He should know the art of teaching, with deep insight into child psychology.

A good teacher should always deal with students in an unprejudiced and affectionate manner. He should not lose his temper at mistakes his students may commit, and instead, should respect their feelings and try to understand and resolve their difficulties with patience. He should be able to smile in the face of bitter criticism against his opinions and not feel ashamed to accept his mistakes wholeheartedly. He should be a missionary, a mentor, a reformer and a guide besides being a dedicated tutor. In other words, he should be a perfect teacher and a perfect educationist.

- The reader is a former teacher based in India.