A short case study of 7 teachers and 7 students at Agoura High School
I interviewed seven teachers and seven students from seven academic departments at Agoura High School to determine how good teaching is perceived in real classrooms.
The two pie charts above summarize the most common responses to one question both groups were asked: “What makes a good teacher?”
Teachers most often described good teaching as being flexible and responsive to students; they especially valued flexibility, as their lessons almost never go according to plan. They also valued caring about students and keeping them engaged, as well as being knowledgeable in the subject one teaches and being able to communicate clearly.
Students focused more on the classroom experience. A majority of responses valued teachers who feel friendly, safe, and positive the most. Other students valued teachers who explain clearly and help information stick.
Teachers talked about teaching techniques, while students talked about the classroom’s atmosphere. Despite these differences, both groups supported the following idea: students learn best when they feel supported and comfortable asking for help.
Most teachers said that they chose this profession because of a genuine desire to make others learn and grow, and students were very quick to point out their passions to me during their interviews. Both groups also agreed on what helps students overcome more challenging material: being able to ask a lot of questions, having the teacher explain the material in detail, and having the teacher be available as much as possible to help the students.
One difference stood out to me. When asked about how they improved, teachers often spoke about how their ability to connect with students has evolved over time, while students spoke more about short-term practical fixes, such as slower pacing, more review, and clearer explanations. This shows that students tend to think more locally, focusing on year-to-year changes, whereas teachers look ahead more and plan accordingly.
In a nutshell, being a good teacher is not just about being able to present information well. Good teaching is when a teacher can already do that, as well as being able to incite interest in their students, which requires a good connection between the students and the teacher. This is when learning feels possible to students.
