„We need to realize how much influence we have on our students. Students do not just (or even) learn the subject matter we teach them; they learn their teachers. Teacher attitude, more than technical expertise, is what they will recall when they leave us“ (1999:7).
Maley, A. (1999). Surviving the 20th century. English Teaching Professional, 10, 3-7
Some desirable teacher qualities
playful without being frivolous,
energetic without being frenetic,
spontaneous without being anarchic,
friendly without being pally.
dramatic without being farcical,
optimistic without being euphoric,
enthusiastic without being fanatical,
confident without being brash,
cheerful without being effusive,
self-aware without being self-centred,
serious without being solemn,
caring without being sentimental.
interested without being prurient,
firm without being authoritarian,
organised without being rigid,
patient without being indulgent,
tolerant without being permissive,
sympathetic without being gullible,
impartial without being indifferent,
flexible without being floppy,
calm without being passive,
simple without being simplistic,
silent without being taciturn,
eloquent without being garrulous,
reflective without being intellectual,
critical without being destructive,
knowledgeable without being smart-ass clever,
expert without being exhibitionist,
open-minded without being empty-headed,
well-read without being pedantic,
holding strong views without being opinionated,
having ideas without being ideological,
resilient without being resistant, resolute without being obdurate.
Alan Maley, 2021