As a teacher you will perform many roles while carrying out your duties.  Roles include communicator, disciplinarian, evaluator, classroom manager, counselor, team member, decision maker, and role model.  You must have the appropriate temperament, skills and personality to be a successful teacher.

Becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding choices a person can make.  However, teaching is not for everyone.  The following are characteristics of successful teachers.  Keep them in mind as you are deciding if teaching is the right career choice for you. 

Successful teachers:

• Are prepared to sacrifice personal time - You may be involved in after school meetings, committees, assisting students, grading homework, assignments, projects and calling parents.
• Take part in teacher preparation programs - Choose wisely from the options you have available to you.  Select programs that offer a solid foundation of courses and a balance between subject matter content as well as pedagogy.
• Are good at explaining things - Being comfortable with explaining content to students is an essential skill for teachers.
• Keep their cool - There will be times when you are tempted to scream at students, teachers, parents or administrators.  Good teachers are able to successfully resist this urge.
• Have a sense of humor - Humor, when used properly, can be a powerful addition to any lesson.
• Like people - Especially students in the age range they intend to teach.  If you are not comfortable working with young children, consider teaching middle or high school instead of elementary. 
• Are fair-minded - They are able to assess students on the basis of performance, not on personal qualities.
• Have a command of the content they teach - For elementary teachers, this means having knowledge of a broad range of content.  For secondary teachers, it means having in-depth knowledge of one or two specific content areas.
• Set high expectations for their students - Demand excellence not only of yourself, but of your students as well.
• Are detail oriented - Teachers must be organized in their teaching and professional duties.
• Are good managers of time - Time is a precious resource; learn to use it wisely.
• Can lead or follow, as the situation demands - Having the temperament to function in these capacities is essential.