There are many different types of teaching styles, and each one can be successful in the classroom. It’s important to find the right persona for you and to understand what makes each type successful. In this blog post, we will explore four different types of teaching styles:
The authoritarian teacher
The authoritarian teaching style is all about control. This type of teacher believes that it is their job to keep order in the classroom, and they are not afraid to use their authority to do so.
The pros
Many people would say that the best thing about authoritarian teachers is their ability to maintain discipline in the classroom. They are not afraid to use their authority to get students to behave, and this can be very helpful in keeping order in the classroom. Authoritarian teachers are often very successful in teaching students who have trouble following rules, although they don’t work for every student in every classroom.
The cons
While authoritarian teachers can be successful in maintaining discipline and order in the classroom, they also have some major downsides. First, this type of teacher can often be very strict and demanding. This can be overwhelming for students, and may lead to them feeling stressed out or unhappy in the classroom.
Second, authoritarian teachers often do not allow for much creativity or independent thinking. This can be stifling for students, and may prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Should you be an authoritarian teacher?
You may decide that being an authoritarian teacher really works for you. You are firm and have no trouble standing your ground when you are challenged by students. Some research suggests that while the authoritarian teaching style doesn’t work for every student, it is the style that most predictably saw student growth and an increase in achievement.1
There’s nothing wrong with being tough, and it can build resilience when coupled with strong relationships with your students and obvious unconditional positive regard.
The nurturing teacher
The nurturing teaching style is all about caring for students. Nurturing teachers are some of the best around, and they make it obvious that they care about their students and want them to succeed. This type of teacher believes that it is their job to support and care for their students, and they are always looking for ways to help them.
See more: Do You Need to be a Parent to be a Good Teacher?
The pros
Nurturing teachers are great at creating a supportive classroom environment. This is important because it makes students feel comfortable and safe in the classroom, which allows them to focus on learning. Nurturing teachers also build strong relationships with their students. This is important because it allows students to feel comfortable coming to the teacher with problems or questions.
Nurturing teachers are also always looking for ways to help their students succeed. This might include finding new and innovative ways to teach a concept, or providing extra support outside of the classroom. This is different to authoritative teachers who often insist on teaching a particular way and supporting their students to adapt.
The cons
While the nurturing persona can be very successful in the classroom, there are also some downsides. First, this type of teacher can sometimes be too soft and may have trouble maintaining discipline in the classroom. Second, nurturing teachers may have difficulty saying no to students, which can lead to them feeling overwhelmed or taken advantage of.
Both of these things can lead to students feeling unsafe in their classroom. Having a safe and supportive environment where students feel like they can take risks and make mistakes has a huge impact on their learning.
You don’t want them to end up relying on you too much!
Nurturing teachers can also slip into coddling students. If we want our students to be as successful as they can be, we need to ensure that we always set high expectations for them.2 Nurturing teachers need to make sure that they are still doing this, but they are also very good at doing this in a very supportive and caring way.
Should you be a nurturing teacher?
Being a nurturing teacher comes naturally for many teachers. We become teachers because we care so much about our students and do our best to support them and prepare them for their future. This does often come at a cost, though.
Many nurturing teachers put their own well-being at risk to give it all to their students. If you’re going to be a nurturing teacher, you need to be very aware of what your limits are and make sure that you are setting healthy boundaries and looking after yourself.
The independent teacher
The independent teaching style is all about being self-sufficient. This type of teacher believes that it is their job to teach their students how to be independent thinkers and learners.
The pros
This type of teacher is often very successful in teaching students how to think for themselves and work independently. Independent thinking is a valuable skill that can be used in any area of life, and it’s so important for students to learn how to think for themselves and work independently in the classroom.
The cons
However, this type of persona can also be seen as aloof and uninterested in their students. It is important for teachers to be able to connect with their students, and this can be difficult if they are seen as uninterested or aloof. Although the independent teaching style is often successful in teaching students how to think for themselves and work independently, it is important for teachers to make sure that they are still able to connect with their students.
Should you be an independent teacher?
Many students really need a teacher who prioritises their independent learning skills. Giving agency to your students is something that every teacher should aspire to, but this teaching style can often go awry or is used by teachers as an excuse to not do their job.
make sure that you are supporting all of your students.
Many teachers will use this style as an excuse to not adequately support their students. If you’re going to go in this direction, make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons and that you have a detailed plan for how you are going to build your students’ independent learning skills and gradually release responsibility for their learning.
Which type of teaching persona do you think would be the best fit for you?
Take some time to consider which type of persona would allow you to be the most successful in the classroom. Remember, there is no one right answer – it’s important to find the persona that works best for you and your students.
It’s also important to remember that different teaching styles work best for different students. It is essential that students have access to teachers with a range of different styles and backgrounds so that they always have someone that they can go to who will be able to help them with their needs.
Which teaching style do you follow? Do you always teach using the same style, or does it depend on the class? Comment down below!
References:
1Dever, B. V., & Karabenick, S. A. (2011). Is authoritative teaching beneficial for all students? A multi-level model of the effects of teaching style on interest and achievement. School Psychology Quarterly, 26(2), 131.
2Morrison, G. M., & Allen, M. R. (2007). Promoting student resilience in school contexts. Theory into Practice, 46(2), 162-169.
