As someone who has just begun college and is well on the path to becoming an educator, I have been reflecting on what has led me to this point. If you would have told me my 8th-grade year that I would be excited to have a career in teaching, I would’ve told you that you have the wrong girl. So, what drove me to go into education?

I believe that my decision stemmed from seeing my connections to the teachers around me and recognizing their impact. Many of my role models are some of my past teachers, and being able to help people the way they have helped me seems like an amazing lifestyle. Thinking about those teachers that I love and my future identity as one, I have begun wondering what exactly makes up a great teacher.

Even with the few classes I have begun taking concerning education, I can tell you some of the technical skills that are supposed to make up an effective educator. Communication skills are key; you must be able to effectively communicate with all types of students. A good teacher recognizes differences in learning styles and how certain lessons and activities work better for some than others. Patience is definitely a virtue when it comes to teaching, both with students and with parents. Good teachers are professional; good teachers are organized; good teachers are resourceful…

Textbooks and lectures can tell you and me endless methodologies and studies about how to be a “good teacher,” but I want more than that. My favorite teachers didn’t win me over or inspire me because they had colorful powerpoint presentations. Maybe what I am looking for is not what makes a teacher “good” at their job, but what makes them memorable and important to a student. College courses will teach me some of the crucial ingredients to make up my teaching identity, but how can I spice up this recipe and make it my own? How can a teacher go beyond being a dispensary for curriculum and become a memorable role model to a young student?

I think one of the best spices of life that make many teachers great is humility mixed with empathy. Their great legacies live on through those conversations and moments where grades and curriculum stand aside and genuine connectivity shines through. I remember the teachers that would treat me not as a simple student but as a friend, a consultant, or a shoulder to lean on. The teachers I hold to the highest regard are the ones who demand respect but don’t create a barrier where their authority rules over everything. Learning always seemed easier when I could trust that the teacher truly cared about me and my success, rather than my GPA.

Those teachers that I love have shown so much compassion for their students, and you can see why they teach. I have had teachers in the past that taught for many different purposes. Some taught because it was a paying job and they had the degree; others taught because they were skilled in a subject area and sharing that expertise seemed useful. Maybe some even taught because they felt an obligation to family members also in the education field. However, the best teachers in my mind teach with the purpose of helping people, strengthening the community, and providing the best opportunities to students. That is the purpose I have the strongest connection with.

I guess the point of this article was to show that I am starting to find my motivation and what metaphorical seasonings will make my future career great. I will teach to help my students thrive. I will teach to allow my students to think critically, explore questions, and express themselves openly. I will teach to allow students to find support, respect, and compassion in their schooling experience. I am a geeky introvert that is fascinated with people, and this walking contradiction wants to contribute to society and make a difference through what is perhaps one of the most honorable and influential careers.

So, what really makes a teacher great? You will have to come to my class to find out.