In pursuing such goals, I often remind myself how I would like to be taught if I were on the other side of the lectern. I would surely like my professors to be knowledgeable, systematic, enthusiastic, caring, and not otherwise.
Hence, I believe an effective teacher must be well informed about his or her subject. This comes from disciplined study of the subject as well as creative research activities in the subject area. It is very important to keep abreast with the reality outside of the classroom and academia as well. To bridge the difference, I would, and I would also require my students to, read the business press regularly as different topics are covered throughout the semester. I would use, and encourage my students to bring to class, real-life examples to illustrate certain points.
An effective teacher will provide a logical context for the class materials, showing how they connect with previous knowledge and concepts. Each class should be prepared meticulously and a main logic or theme should hold the materials together. This systematic method of instruction will help the students see the subject matters as an organic whole rather than as a collection of disjointed pieces. Furthermore, a logical and well executed presentation, by way of example, will help students develop the ability to think logically and to address problems methodically.
An effective teacher must be enthusiastic about the subject. He or she must enjoy teaching the subject and communicate that to the students. In the classroom, the teacher is on a special stage, and must be effective in using his presence to get the students enthused about whatever he is teaching. I believe that students learn best when engaged in activities which are relevant to their current and future professional placement. I constantly remind them of the practical implications of what we discuss in class. In almost all of my classes, whether graduate or undergraduate, I require students to participate in classroom discussions, or engage in some collaborative projects geared towards effectively integrating their knowledge acquired previously or concurrently.
An effective teacher must care for the students and treat each individual student with respect. If a student does poorly on an exam, the teacher should let the student know that he or she is concerned. Some ameliorative measures should be taken so that the student will have a better chance to succeed in the class. I would try to address each student by their name and treat each as a responsible adult. I would make clear from the very beginning what the rules are in the class and enforce those rules earnestly. I would accommodate questions at any time, not just during class time and office hours. I also believe that I can modify the syllabus and schedule, if needed, to ensure that everyone understand what has been covered. My job is not to show them what I know, but to teach them what they need to know, and above all, to facilitate their learning process.
Finally, an effective teacher should try to instill in students a love of learning. I hope to teach my students that school is more than just exams and grades. I hope that the real value of their education is not just found in their grade point average or their resume, but in the knowledge and skills that they take away.
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