As a principal, there are several traits I look for in teachers, and I would like to share seven of them with you:

T—teachable

• Have a good attitude about learning your curriculum, procedures, etc.
• Just because you have a college degree, does not mean you know everything.
• There is always room for improvement.
• Ask your school how they would want to do something—don’t assume you already know.

E—enthusiastic

• We teach in a Christian school! Show the love of Christ! Even if the subject matter is hard or detailed, we should look for ways to apply it to our students’ lives.
• Integrate the Bible into subjects.

A—amiable

• We must show ourselves friendly to students and to parents. Pray for them and work at it! They have something to teach you!
• You cannot be buddies with the students. You must be balanced—be firm, fair (consistent), and do not show favorites.
• Build relationships with parents—write personal notes and make phone calls (don’t rely on emails or voicemail as they are too impersonal).

C—character

• Be faithful (in your place)
• Be loyal (support leaders—pray for them and write notes)
• Be kind (do acts of kindness)
• Be punctual (early is on time and on time is late)
• Be loving
• Be tenacious (don’t quit)
• Be joyful (be thankful)
• Be peaceful (create an atmosphere of peace)
• Be patient (wait for children to answer)
• Be gentle (take time to hear their troubles)
• Be righteous (not holier than thou—sharing your struggles to a certain extent shows that you are human)

H—honoring

• Show respect to those in authority. Teach it to your students.
• Do not demand respect from them, but earn it.
• Answer students with yes ma’am and yes sir.

E—eager

• Be eager for your students to learn.
• Be creative so they will want to learn.

R—responsible

• Do the tasks that are assigned to you.