We all remember teachers that influenced us at some point in our lives. A good teacher can engage you, pull you into the subject matter and change the way you think. Bad teachers can have the opposite effect. Here are some guidelines to help you become a teacher that students will look back on as someone who made a real difference in their lives.

The best teachers are inspiring,creative and excited. A passionate teacher who cares about their students and about the quality of their lessons, can really make an impact. Teaching can provide an interesting and dynamic working environment. If you become a teacher, you can expect to be constantly challenged and surprised.

Many people are natural teachers and find themselves helping and explaining things to friends and family. If you are unsure about whether teaching is the right career for you you should try to gain some experience through volunteer or observational roles. You can also talk to teachers to get advice and hear about their experiences.

When you have made the decision to become a teacher you will also need to decide what kind of teacher you want to become. You can decide whether you want to teach children, teenagers or adults. You can also decide if you want to teach in the classroom or if you are interested in one on one teaching or designing learning programmes. Most teachers work in institutions of some sort, like schools and universities. You could also teach as a visiting lecturer or tutor.

You should also decide on the subject matter you want to teach and make sure you are confident in that subject. You may require further education to brush up on the subject you want to teach. A teacher should be able to convey what they know. Good teachers are good communicators.

Teachers need to be highly self-motivated. A teacher's day does not end when the bell rings. There is a considerable amount of time and effort required to prepare engaging lessons and to grade assignments. The importance of planning and preparation cannot be understated. You will need to become a teacher who is highly organised, if you want to cope with a busy schedule. Becoming involved in after school activities can help you to better understand your students as three dimensional people.

It can be really rewarding to design lessons and learning materials and and to convey ideas in a way that is exciting to students. It can be an amazing moment when an idea is conveyed,. Practice and critical reflection on your own lessons will help you become a teacher who is constantly growing professionally. There are always ways to learn and improve through experience.

You should always remember to praise students and make learning a positive experience. Discipline can be an issue in the classroom, but students should always be treated with respect and good behaviour should be praised.

You should be able to listen and to be empathetic. Aim to become a teacher who inspires.