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The 10 types of teachers we all know. Which one is your favorite?

In the wild jungle that is the school system, teachers stand out as some of the most colorful creatures!

Each one unique, and each one leaving an indelible imprint on our lives, for better or for worse…

From the “cool” Teacher who knows what’s trending even before Twitter does, to the perpetually late Teacher who seems to operate on their own timezone, we’ve all encountered these charming individuals during our educational journey.

So, let’s reminisce about the types of teachers we all know and love. Maybe you’ll even spot yourself among these familiar characters – or perhaps find inspiration to evolve your teaching persona. Either way, let’s embark on this amusing journey together. After all, laughter is the best tool for learning, right?

1. The ‘cool’ teacher

This teacher knows the latest dance challenges before they even hit your TikTok feed. They use memes to explain complex theories, and their cultural references are so spot on that it makes you question if they’re really a teacher or perhaps they’re some kind of undercover influencer???

This is usually the one teacher who doesn’t mind you adding or following them on social media. Their Instagram is full of aesthetic photos, and you might even get a glimpse of their weekend adventures!

The “cool” teacher has a knack for mixing pop culture into lessons, keeping students engaged, and ensuring the classroom environment is always relaxed and inclusive. They radiate energy and enthusiasm, effortlessly drawing students into the world of learning.

2. The perpetually late teacher

No matter the day, the time, the weather, or the gravity of the situation, they always seem to be just a tad behind schedule. The students are in the classroom before them, the bell ringing its urgent call to punctuality, yet the late teacher waltzes in with an air of nonchalance…

Yet, despite their chronic lateness, they are masters of time management, squeezing lessons into short durations and leaving students amazed at how much they’ve learned in such little time!

3. The dad joke teacher

This teacher has a seemingly endless repertoire of jokes that are so cringe-worthy, they’re actually hilarious. They might not make you laugh out loud, but their puns will make you groan and smile in equal measure!

Their jokes might not be funny, but their ability to put students at ease and make the learning experience enjoyable is timeless. Lessons with the Dad Joke Teacher feel less like a traditional classroom and more like a fun family dinner conversation. You’ll leave each class not just with more knowledge, but also with a new joke to share (or maybe not share) with your friends!

4. The strict timekeeper

This teacher has a start time, end time, and a very specific schedule planned out in between. Not a minute over, not a minute less. And they expect the same commitment to time from their students. 

Need to hand in your homework? Make sure it’s submitted by 23.59 pm and not a second later unless you want your grade to suffer! Want to leave class early? Well, you’d better have a very, very good reason!

Though they might seem a bit too rigid to some, there’s something comforting about their predictability. You always know where you stand, what is expected of you, and when.

5. The teacher who’s never absent

Come rain, shine, or alien invasion, this teacher is always present. You have never seen a substitute teacher in their classroom. Honestly, it used to make me wonder whether they’ve unlocked the secret to some sort of a magic potion that protects them from ever getting sick!

This teacher is like the invincible superhero of attendance. Flu season? They laugh in the face of the common cold. 

The mere idea of a substitute taking their place? Preposterous!

While their superhuman dedication is quite awe-inspiring, it brings about an undeniable sense of stability in the classroom. This kind of continuity can do wonders for students’ academic success, offering them the reassurance that their guide is always there, come what may.

6. The strict teacher

Enter the realm of the strict teacher, a world where rules aren’t just rules, they’re law!

Their glare is legendary. You know the one — it’s the “you-better-quiet-down-or-else” look that silences the room faster than the speed of light!

Excuses are their kryptonite; they’ve heard them all and are immune. “I’ve finished the homework, I swear! I just left it at home”, will earn you nothing but a raised eyebrow and an uncompromising reminder about responsibility.

And oh, their watchful eyes during an exam. They’re like an eagle, effortlessly tracking every move, every whisper, every suspicious glance. In their class, attempting to cheat is as futile as counting the grains of sand.

As tough as their class might be, these teachers are usually the most memorable. Only when the students have become alumni do they realize that underneath all the harsh exteriors, they really just want to see you thrive!

7. The ancient teacher

This teacher has been around for so long that they’ve probably taught your parents, your grandparents, and possibly even the first Homo sapiens. I am convinced that this teacher will outlive us all!

At times, their lessons turn into storytime. Their stories often start with “Back in my days…” and can stretch to the entire length of the class.

Usually, they love to talk about how different the school or even the city was in their youth. How the malls didn’t exist then. How there was much less traffic. How many more trees there were…

They also love to talk about how back then Google didn’t exist, how they had to use a typewriter to type their thesis and how they had to start all over again when they made a typo!

Sure, they may have difficulties operating PowerPoint or Zoom, but their willingness and patience in trying these things is already a lesson in patience!

8. The mysterious teacher

Ah, the mysterious teacher… no school is complete without this enigmatic figure!

This individual is typically very reserved, keeping much of their personal life under wraps, making them all the more mysterious.

The Mysterious Teacher doesn’t share personal anecdotes or engage in idle chitchat. Instead, they remain focused on the subject matter at hand, never deviating from the academic script. Students often find themselves on the edge of their seats, eager to catch any snippet of personal information that may inadvertently slip.

Yet, despite their elusive persona, the Mysterious Teacher often inspires a unique kind of respect and intrigue among students. After all, everyone loves a good mystery, and the challenge of figuring out who this teacher really is can be as exciting as the subjects they teach!

9. The technologically challenged teacher

We all know this type! 

There’s the classic case of “The File That Vanished”. They know they saved that document somewhere. Was it in Documents? Downloads? Desktop? The frantic search that ensues could rival any detective story.

And then there’s Zoom! Where’s the mute button? How does one screen share? Why is the camera not adjusting properly? Not to mention the timeless dance of “Can you hear me now? How about now?”

And let’s not forget about projectors! The remotes with their tiny buttons and baffling symbols might as well be alien technology. “Which one turns it on again? Is it the red one or the green one?”

But here’s the thing about these teachers: their resilience is awe-inspiring. In the face of every technological trial and tribulation, they show up, ready to learn, to laugh at their own mistakes, and to keep pushing!

Now that’s perseverance! 

10. The super patient teacher 

This is every school’s beloved teacher, known for their infinite patience that rivals a monk’s…

It seems as though nothing can shake them. Misbehaving students, late assignments, and incessant questions – for them, that’s just part of the job, not worth raising your voice over! 

They’ve made peace with the fact that they might need to explain the same concept seventeen times, in five different ways, and yes, even draw it out with colored markers if needed.

These teachers seem to have a magic power to silence even the most rowdy classroom without raising their voice too! The moment they step in, the chaos gradually ebbs away, and even the most notorious class prankster suddenly finds the charm in silence.

But once every blue moon, they too can lose their patience!. Their voice drops a few decibels, the air around them changes, and suddenly every student finds their textbooks extremely interesting. It’s not a scolding; it’s a silent, solemn ceremony of disappointment that has more effect than any loud reprimand could…

Summary

And there you have it folks! A fun trip down memory lane about the many types of teachers we encountered during our school days!

So, let’s cheer for all our teachers, who, despite their quirky ways, all share a common aim: to guide, to teach, and to inspire us. After all, it’s these different personalities, these unique “characters” that make our school days truly special!

So, what type of teacher do you identify with the most? What kind of teacher are you now, or what kind of teacher do you want to be?

Do you want to develop yourself as an educator?

At IELC, we give you the opportunity to join a great team, develop yourself, and make a difference to Indonesia’s future by teaching English the right way to the next generation of English learners.

You will also get access to continuous training and professional development and get to meet fantastic, like-minded colleagues and team members.

Take the first step to enjoy a supportive and fun working environment, develop yourself, and get a rewarding job with IELC.