What makes a good teacher?

According to past winners of NIU’s Presidential Teaching Professors award, enjoying the job usually helps.

The PTP award goes to the top professors at the university.

“I think that I have one of the best jobs you could have,” said music professor Robert Chappell, a one-time winner of the award.

“Being in music gives me a chance to perform a lot, which recharges me,” he said. “I try to transmit what I feel about music to my students by presenting it in creative ways.”

Chappell also said that bringing a little bit of personality into the classroom also helps.

Fellow award winner Gene Roth, a professor in the department of counseling, adult and health education, prefers to use what he calls an experiential teaching model.

“It involves students in personal reflection so they can share their thoughts with other people in order to create a group dialogue,” Roth said.

A sense of humor helps as well, Roth said. He said that he teaches the skill of using humor in teaching and learning situations.

The classroom environment also seems to be an important factor.

“Since all students are great assets in the classroom, I do my best to establish a safe learning environment where people feel comfortable enough to share their ideas,” Roth said.