Learning is a constant process which occurs in and out of the classrooms, developing the fundamental core of a person. At Woodstock, many of us form deep connections with our teachers by the time we graduate. That teacher becomes our confidant, the person who guides us on the right path while we are on our journeys of becoming young adults. These teachers stand out from the rest. But what makes these teachers great?

One  student said that “we expect our teachers to take on a parental role”. Mr Nishchith, MYP and DP1 art teacher, believes that “teachers build strong, supportive relationships with their students and create a safe and inclusive learning environment, fostering an environment where students flourish not only academically but also personally.” The students also believed that “the role of teachers is 100% more important in a boarding school.” This is because their support can truly help a student who is having a tough time feel secure when they are far away from home.

Ms Sarah, who is Woodstock’s Residence Life Coordinator expressed that “a teacher should help build a self confident child.” She believes that confidence comes when a child is given a space to question and challenge the teacher in the class; with respect of course. She also believed that at Woodstock “we also have difficult moments with each other but it’s about how we take the next few steps to resolve them.”

While trying to understand what traits a student looked for in a teacher, Woodstock students said that they want a teacher who is “understanding, respectful, inspired, caring,” and they all unanimously agreed that the teacher should be “open minded.” The students expressed that a teacher who they are able to talk to outside of class are the teachers they are close to. Mr Nishchith also revealed that “teachers should create a sense of community in the classroom, fostering positive relationships and collaboration among students.” When I ponder this question myself, I realise that the teachers that I am close to are the ones whose subject I don’t necessarily enjoy but somehow end up spending the most amount of time working on. This is because the “great teachers” of my life care about the success of every student in their class. These teachers are ready to stay back for three hours after school each day to give individual students extra guidance while also sneaking in a few words of advice on personal life. Such teachers often share the common trait of being compassionate and are the ones who I will call up when I get my first job and my first paycheck.

While these students are lucky to have found their version of a great teacher, they too believe that it is very rare to find such teachers, especially at Woodstock. They believe that “teachers at Woodstock are very biassed and unfair on students. It’s just lectures at this point and maybe only 10% of teachers actually care about us,” coming from a DP 1 student. This was a common theme that all the students who I spoke to recapitulated. One student stated that “in Woodstock there is a combination of many different types of teachers. Some of whom I really cherish and some of whom I really wished changed.” They also believe that sometimes the lines between being a friend and a teacher get blurred which leads to biases. To this, Mr Nishchith expressed that he hopes to “exhibit patience and adaptability to meet diverse student needs, and exude passion for both their subject and teaching in the classroom.” I truly understand where these students are coming from because I, too, face the same dilemma as well. Just like in any institution, there is a diverse set of teachers with diverse teaching styles; some which work for me, and some which don’t. 

So what truly makes a good teacher great? Students believe that a great teacher is “supportive, and caring.” They emphasise the importance of being open minded and portray the very value of learning everyday in themselves. Ms Sarah believes that ” the great teachers of my life had a lasting positive impact on me even till today, as I carry on the values they instilled in me.” At boarding school we are away from our parents, thus seeking that comfort in our teachers. They are imperative for our personal growth. Learning is not only about academics but also about learning good morals, ethics, and understanding the complexities of life. The great teachers of our lives not only help us excel at their subject but leave life teachings with us that we carry each step of the way. Those great teachers are honest and non judgemental. Their teachings extend out of the classroom and truly change their students’ lives. 

Pia is a staff reporter.

Edited by Asha.

Photography: Medha, Class of 2026