So what makes an individual suited for this essential profession? What skills do they need? A 2023 study from eSchool News found that 75 percent of K-12 educators said “building strong communication” was their top priority. However, communication is just one of many skills that teachers need. 

This guide explores the teacher skills critical for success in this field — the kinds of skills educators can develop in an education degree program. 

How Do Teacher Skills Impact Learning? 

According to research organization RAND, teachers have a greater impact on students’ achievement than any other school-related factor. In math and reading, teachers can have an effect on their students’ test performance that is up to three times that of any other aspect of the students’ schooling.  

Professionals who bring high-quality teacher skills to the classroom can impact their students’ learning in multiple ways. By establishing an open, supportive and positive environment, they can enable their students to build relationships, embrace collaboration and take ownership of their learning, which Gallup cites as key to students’ motivation and engagement.  

Highly skilled teachers also encourage students to employ critical thinking skills, which was ranked in a 2023 ACT survey as the most important skill students need to succeed in the classroom, with 86 percent of K-12 educators including it in the top half of their lists of key student skills. 

Three in four K-12 students report having at least one teacher who inspires them to be excited about the future, according to a 2024 survey conducted by the Walton Family Foundation and Gallup. In the same study, 60 percent of students said they’re most engaged in school when a teacher makes the material interesting. Students who are engaged in school are twice as likely to report that they’re thriving outside of school.  

7 Critical Teacher Skills 

Which teacher skills have the most significant impact on students? This section examines seven skills that enable teachers to enhance their students’ engagement and learning. 

1. Leadership 

Teachers act as leaders in their classroom and school community. By employing different leadership styles to suit different situations, teachers can motivate learners, foster collaborative learning environments and mentor their colleagues. Teachers with strong leadership abilities can effectively prioritize the needs of the students in their classroom and delegate tasks to help them stay on track. 

To showcase their leadership skills on a teacher resume, job candidates can highlight any programs or curriculum initiatives they’ve helped create or mention the training sessions they’ve led for other teachers. 

2. Communication 

Educators use their communication skills to engage their students in lessons, interact with other staff members, and share students’ progress with their parents. A teacher’s classroom management and student engagement skills often directly correlate with their communication skills.  

In the classroom, strong communicators can differentiate material so that students of varying abilities can follow along and gain an understanding of the concepts. In addition to verbal communication skills, teachers need written communication skills to provide feedback on students’ work.  

Sample lesson plans, written feedback examples, and presentations can effectively highlight a teacher's communication skills on their resume. 

3. Problem-Solving 

Unique challenges arise in the classroom every day. Teachers need strong problem-solving skills to be able to shift their plans and adapt to the changing circumstances. Problem-solving abilities also help educators pivot when technical challenges occur. 

By modeling problem-solving skills in the classroom, teachers also encourage their students to develop these critical abilities themselves. Understanding challenges and developing innovative solutions is an important aspect of social and emotional learning. 

4. Organization 

Educators have a limited amount of time in the classroom and a long list of material to cover with students. Their organizational abilities allow them to use their resources, including time, wisely. Preparing lesson plans in advance, communicating and following classroom routines, and effectively managing their time all contribute to student learning. 

Organized educators foster productive and efficient learning environments. Setting expectations at the beginning of the school year encourages students to contribute to an organized classroom.  

A teaching portfolio that showcases lesson plans, handouts and other teaching materials can demonstrate organizational skills on a teacher resume. 

5. Listening 

Listening to students is the first step in identifying each learner’s unique needs. Effective listening skills help teachers foster trusting relationships with students and promote an inclusive learning environment. 

Signs of a good listener include actively paying attention when others speak and being aware of their nonverbal cues. Educators can also use their listening skills when they solicit feedback from their students and colleagues on ways they can improve their teaching abilities. 

6. Adaptability 

Throughout a school day, school year or school career, teachers must be adaptable. During a school day or year, educators may need to change their lesson plans based on their students’ behavior or shift their instructional approaches or materials to meet the needs of certain students in their class. Further, educators must adapt to new tools and technologies throughout their career. 

Teachers who adapt can meet the diverse needs of students who bring different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to the classroom. On a teaching resume, adaptability can be demonstrated using examples of classroom management and differentiation techniques. 

7. Creativity 

Creative, engaging teachers tend to be the ones who motivate their students best. Creativity encourages innovation and inspires students to reach their potential. 

How can teachers improve their creativity? The process starts with challenging their assumptions and demonstrating a willingness to think outside the box. Integrating creative learning activities into lesson plans can help students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  

How Education Degree Programs Develop Teaching Skills 

Prospective teachers begin to develop their critical classroom skills through the coursework in the education degree program that leads to their initial certification. Experienced educators can further develop these skills in a graduate education program. 

• Connect research to practice: Education degree programs introduce teaching students to research on learning styles, instructional approaches and educational theory. Critically, they also explore how to apply this research in the classroom through case studies, practicums and student teaching experiences. 

• Learn teaching strategies and methods: Prospective and current teachers benefit from exploring many different teaching strategies and methods. By learning from experienced educators and collaborating with their classmates, teaching students develop the adaptability and creativity needed to connect with learners. 

• Leverage student teaching and mentorship: Education programs incorporate student teaching placements to meet teachers’ licensure and certification requirements. Field placements and mentorship opportunities also allow educators to expand their skills.  

Enhance Your Teacher Skills at SEMO Online 

SEMO Online offers education degree programs that can help teachers develop the critical skills they need in the classroom. At the graduate level, educators can enhance their skills with an online Master of Arts in Elementary Education or Master of Arts in Secondary Education. The Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership program helps teachers develop classroom-focused leadership skills. SEMO Online also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching program for those with a bachelor’s in a nonteaching field.  

Designed for working adults and educators, SEMO Online’s programs work with distance learners to help them complete their field and student teaching experiences in their local area. Contact SEMO Online today to learn more about strengthening your teacher skills.