Teachers typically have an interest in the Creator, Helper and Persuader interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Creator interest area indicates a focus on being original and imaginative, and working with artistic media. The Helper interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counselling, or teaching other people. The Persuader interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people.
If you are not sure whether you have a Creator or Helper or Persuader interest which might fit with a career as an adult literacy and high school equivalency diploma teacher, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Teachers should also possess the following specific qualities:
Communication skills. Teachers must collaborate with other teachers and program administrators. In addition, they talk to students about their progress and goals, and must explain concepts in terms that students can understand.
Cultural sensitivity. Teachers must be able to work with students from a variety of cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds. They must be understanding and respectful of their students’ backgrounds and be familiar with their concerns.
Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Teachers must be patient when students struggle with material.
Resourcefulness. Teachers need to be able to respond to difficult situations and think on their feet. For example, they need to be able to alter their teaching methods to meet the needs of each student they teach and find ways to keep students engaged in learning.