What Is Your Definition/Perception of an Amazing Instructor?

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

I'm just a tad curious.

Based on your experiences in pre-requisites, what defines a great instructor? Is it the way they lecture, how thorough they are? Maybe it's the way they demonstrate and give examples, maybe it's the way they read through sections? Whatever it is, share with us what you consider a good instructor!

Honestly...I was so worried about what type of A&P instructor I would get a hold of. I walked into that classroom, not knowing what to expect (I had been out of a classroom setting for well over five years). My palms were sweaty, I felt sick to my stomach...I had heard such bad/opposing experiences when it came to A&P as a whole...all I needed to do was to get a sucky instructor.

SO RELIEVED. I've honestly never had a teacher this amazing. PowerPoints (for every lecture) are his thing and he likes to *hint, hint* the more important information...specifically if it's going to be on an upcoming test. He doesn't move on without making sure everyone understands the concepts of sections and chapters. He takes the time to give whole examples, sometimes multiple...he draws out diagrams on the board for certain objectives/lectures. He breaks things down and reviews daily on what we went over during lecture the day before. He adds a little humor here and there, and is very descriptive.

To me, that is a good example of how an instructor is a great one...but that's just my opinion. I'm sure we all have different definitions on what we find optimal.

[mstacyi]

A/P feels like its been forever since nursing school however, I havent been outta RN school that long either. Anyway, it sounds like you got yourself a wonderful instructor.

my ideal instructor would be someone who is prompt with replies, who when dont know the answer will get back to me with the correct answer, have a clear teaching method, give study guides, allow for questions and friendly. I have been blessed to have many of these instructors, but trust me i know what you mean by not knowing which type of instructors you'll get.

good luck in your class.

[SerenePeach]

A great teacher to me is able to command respect in the classroom while still being friendly - I want a 'nice' teacher but I hate it when students walk all over a teacher or a teacher can't control her classroom and everyone whispers their own conversations. I like it when teachers are clearly passionate about what they teach, and they are engaging and enthusiastic. They inspire people to critically think about the topic at hand.

I also think a great teacher comes to class prepared, is organized and has a good structure and flow to the lecture.

And, I may be in the minority here, but it's rather annoying to me when a teacher entertains every.single.question or doesn't move on from a topic until EVERYONE gets it. I think if the majority of the people understand, it's time to move on and those other people need to set up a personal appointment or tutoring session, because we're wasting time when we have so much to cover. Sorry, just a bit of a rant there.

[mzrainydayz, BSN, RN]

I would say it's the way they lecture and can relate to students. I had the biggest fear about college algebra, and the teacher. She actually turneed out to be the best teacher I 've had for all my prereqs. She also was very motivating she always said you guys are smart, you know this, you can do it and you made it this far.

[Ev1987]

A teacher who hasn't lost their passion for teaching, and actually CARES if the students pass or fail their course.

[NurseKellyH]

A perfect teacher for me is someone who answers questions directly, without adding extraneous details that further complicate the question and further confuse the person asking a direct question. (I currently have an instructor who does this in nursing school, it's just so frustrating). Also, a great teacher will not just answer your question, they will ask you *IF* they answered your question.

The absolute best instructor I've ever had was in microbiology. She managed to make such amazing sense of immunity (B and T cells) for example, by putting it in terms of Lady Gaga and her security team preventing things from getting into her 'fortress'. I know that makes no sense to anyone who hasn't had her, but anyone who did will never, ever forget that relation lol.