In every school, there’s that one teacher students gravitate toward; the one whose lessons they never want to miss, whose words carry weight, and whose presence commands both respect and affection. Contrary to popular belief, becoming every student’s favourite teacher is not about being overly friendly or bending the rules to win favour. It’s about intentional, professional, and human-centred teaching practices that create a lasting impact. Being a beloved teacher is not a luxury; it’s a powerful tool for transforming learning outcomes.
Below are proven, practical strategies that can help teachers become not just effective, but unforgettable.
1. Know Your Students Beyond the Register
Being a favourite teacher starts with genuine human connection. Learn your students’ names quickly and use them often. Go beyond roll calls, understand their backgrounds, interests, strengths, and struggles. In Nigeria’s diverse classrooms, where students come from various ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds, this attention can break barriers and foster mutual respect. When students feel seen, they become more engaged and cooperative.
2. Master Your Subject and Stay Updated
Students admire teachers who know what they’re talking about. Be exceptionally competent in your subject area and keep up with curriculum changes, real-world applications, and new teaching methods. A teacher who can link a classroom concept to real-life situations like showing how algebra applies to market pricing or how literature reflects societal norms naturally earns student admiration.
3. Be Consistent, Fair and Transparent
Favourite teachers don’t play favourites. They are known for being consistent in discipline, fair in grading, and transparent in expectations. Nigerian students are often subject to teachers who allow bias, inconsistency, or favouritism to interfere with classroom management. If your students know what to expect from you, be it praise, correction, or deadlines, they will trust and respect you, even when you’re strict.
4. Make Learning Relatable and Interactive
The best teachers don’t just deliver lessons, they design experiences. Use real-life examples, Nigerian case studies, cultural references, or technology tools to bring abstract concepts to life. Whether it’s using Naija pop culture to teach poetry or integrating mobile apps in science class, interactive lessons stick. When students feel involved rather than lectured at, they connect more deeply with the content and with you.
5. Model the Behaviour You Want to See
Students don’t just learn content, they learn character. A teacher who is punctual, courteous, enthusiastic, and composed under pressure sets a silent standard for students. If you want them to show empathy, model it. If you want honesty, demonstrate it. Over time, students will not only mirror your behaviour but also admire your consistency.
6. Listen More Than You Speak
It’s easy to assume that teaching is all about talking, but students revere teachers who listen. Create safe spaces for students to share opinions, ask questions, or express concerns. A teacher who takes time to listen, whether to an academic struggle or a personal issue builds trust that outlasts the school year.
7. Give Constructive Feedback Without Shaming
How you respond to a student’s failure or mistake can define your relationship. Nigerian schools often use public humiliation as a disciplinary method, but students cherish teachers who correct them without making them feel small. Offer specific, helpful feedback, and always leave room for improvement. Remember: it’s possible to be firm without being cruel.
8. Use Humour Wisely
A touch of appropriate humour lightens the learning atmosphere and shows students you’re human. You don’t need to be a stand-up comedian, but a well-placed joke, a relatable anecdote, or even laughing at your own mistakes can make you more approachable. Students connect better with teachers who don’t take themselves too seriously.
9. Recognise and Celebrate Progress
You don’t have to wait until the end of term to celebrate students. Recognise improvement, even in small doses whether it’s better handwriting, clearer reasoning, or more confidence during presentations. In a country where academic validation is mostly reserved for top scorers, acknowledging effort can build the self-worth of average students and reinforce your role as a supporter of their dream.
10. Adapt to Different Learning Styles
Not every student will grasp concepts the same way. Teachers who take time to vary their teaching methods, use visuals, ask reflective questions, or engage learners actively show that they are attentive to diverse needs and that makes students feel seen.
11. Be Honest About Your Own Learning Journey
Favourite teachers don’t pretend to be perfect. Sharing moments from your own academic struggles, how you overcame challenges, or even admitting when you don’t know something models humility and encourages students to view learning as a lifelong journey, not a race.
12. Keep Boundaries, But Be Accessible
Being approachable doesn’t mean becoming a student’s friend. The best teachers strike a balance, they’re available to support, provide guidance, and offer mentorship, while still maintaining professional boundaries and authority.
13. Take Care of Yourself, Too
Burnout kills connection. A drained teacher cannot pour into students. Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary. The teachers students remember fondly are often those who are present, energised, and emotionally attuned all of which requires regular self-reflection and balance. Also, eat well, dress well, and be mentally fit. A teacher’s dress sense could be the first reason a student wants to listen to them.
14. Stay Passionate, Even When It’s Hard
In Nigeria’s education sector where salaries are often delayed and infrastructure lacking, staying passionate can feel impossible. But passion isn’t always loud. It’s in the teacher who shows up, adapts, innovates, and keeps believing in the power of learning.
15. Leave a Mark Beyond the Curriculum
What will your students remember about you 10 years from now? Often, it’s not the formulas, dates, or definitions, it’s the way you made them feel, the belief you instilled, or the story you told at just the right time. Favourite teachers don’t just teach subjects; they shape lives.
In conclusion, becoming every student’s favourite teacher isn’t about being popular, it’s about being impactful. It means being present, responsive, and intentional in every interaction. In a country where education is sometimes reduced to mere grades or certifications, the role of a teacher as a role model, mentor, and guide becomes even more critical. The truth is, you may not be every student’s favourite. and that’s okay. What matters is striving daily to be the kind of teacher who creates a space for learning, connection, and growth. The kind who sees the child beyond the grades. The kind who inspires, even in silence.
