What Makes a Great Teacher? Insights from My Journey

This picture was taken in 2005 at Shakti Yoga in Des Moines Iowa. It was my last class. I will always be grateful to this community and my first Anusara Yoga teacher – Brette Berlin Scott.

What makes a great teacher?

I have been reflecting on this a lot lately.  I have had many teachers over the years as I have moved several times since marrying Pontus in 2003 for his medical schooling/residencys etc.  Although moving around has been exhausting, especially when we started having kids (4 years after getting married), it has also been exciting and fun to start fresh, and connect to new perspectives.  I have been somewhat of a gypsy, finding my people along the way with no particular place to call home.  

 I have been curious what sets some of my favorite teachers apart?

One thing I know for certain, it’s not just what the teacher knows, it’s who the teacher is at their core that makes him or her such a powerful influence.

I also credit my personal struggles and experiences to be some of my greatest teachers (once I started to pay attention)!

I have been a teacher for many years…

In my youth I was a nanny in college and after graduating with majors in  for SU in liberal studies and French, I got a masters in education.

Teaching school for me was short lived!  Moving around a lot, was a big reason.  Although, I did get a job teaching HS French for 6 months that was  temporary and substitute teaching was draining.

It was in Toledo Ohio, in 2005/6 that I decided to stop teaching school and start devoting my time instead to teaching something that filled me up with joy and inspiration.  Fitness and moving my body, particularly with the methods of yoga and Pilates was exactly that…

I dove into learning and have too many courses and training to mention over the past 22 years.  My goal has always been to share what I learn to help others to feel better in their body – ultimately feel better about who they are.

I was not always healthy and fit in my youth and suffered my junior year in high school.  I got sick and never got better.  I gained a lot of weight, experienced severe acne all over my face, and suffered a lot of shame.  I learned my thyroid was hypothyroid, and have been taking hypothyroid medication ever since.

Although looking back this was a horrible experience for me, it was also one of the best things that ever happened to me as it woke me up and I started taking more ownership of my life.

So here are some of the qualities that I believe make a great teacher…. 

-someone who is an inspiration.  Who walks the walk.

-someone who is encouraging.

-someone who is honest and truthful in who they are and what they say.

-someone who shares in their journey(we all have one) and continues to show up.

-someone that understands that everyone is different and may need a different approach and variations.

-someone who watches and listens with compassion and love.

-someone who acknowledges their mistake(we all make them).

-someone who is happy for your achievements and not jealous of what you can do.

-someone that believes in themselves and believes in you!

So what do you think? Who are some of your favorite teachers and why?