What Defines a Great Teacher in the Modern Era: Insights from Educators

Gone are the days when teachers relied on rote memorization or rigid classroom commands like "Raise your hand!" or "Did you leave your brain at home?" Today's educators inspire curiosity, nurture learning, and continuously evolve alongside their students. In collaboration with Rostelecom, we asked experienced teachers to share what truly makes an outstanding educator in our rapidly changing world.

1. Embraces Modern Technology

Students today are rarely seen without their gadgets, so a teacher unfamiliar with smartphones or the internet may struggle to connect. Tech-savvy teachers craft engaging presentations, lead virtual field trips, and create educational videos. They channel students' digital enthusiasm into productive learning by recommending useful educational apps and platforms.

Anatoly Pronin

Head of the Regional Information Systems Development Center at Rostelecom. Teaches Ruby on Rails development.

"New technologies have made learning more engaging and diverse. Remote classes can be accessed globally, recorded lessons allow for review, and online quizzes help reinforce knowledge. However, I believe that in-person learning remains vital, especially for developing soft skills that require face-to-face interaction."

2. Excels in Student Communication

Effective teachers encourage students to think critically by asking thought-provoking questions and actively listening to their responses. Even when students make mistakes, good educators avoid criticism or ridicule, instead offering constructive explanations that foster growth.

Kirill Pikhtovnikov

Deputy General Director and CTO at the IT Cluster, Rostelecom. Former software development instructor at PNIPU with over 9 years of experience.

"In every class, some students are genuinely eager to learn, while others attend just to fulfill requirements. The key is to connect with those interested students first; their enthusiasm often spreads, engaging the entire group."

3. Lifelong Learner

As the world evolves rapidly, continuous learning is crucial for both students and teachers. Mastering new tools and integrating innovative teaching methods helps educators capture attention and build trust.

Anatoly Pronin

"Technology in IT advances quickly. Staying up-to-date means never stopping learning. For example, I completed a team leadership course at Rostelecom IT, gaining practical knowledge I now apply. Recently, I finished a course on artificial intelligence—not directly related to my current role, but it deepened my understanding of this fascinating field."

Modern classrooms now utilize virtual reality and 3D printing—tools unimaginable just decades ago. Exam formats have also transformed, with Rostelecom equipping over 109,000 exam sites nationwide with video surveillance and AI-powered monitoring systems to ensure fairness and transparency.

4. Connects with Every Student

Every learner absorbs information differently; some prefer reading, others benefit more from visual aids or interactive activities. Teachers who diversify their approaches make lessons engaging for all.

Roman Khazeev

Deputy Director of Digital Project Implementation, Team Lead School Instructor at Rostelecom.

"Communicating with students as equals fosters mutual respect and effective learning. Respectful relationships create a positive environment where students feel supported. When a teacher is passionate and shares real-world experience, students become genuinely interested."

If a student struggles, a skilled teacher identifies the root cause—whether knowledge gaps or motivation issues—and tailors assignments to help overcome challenges.

5. Inspires a Passion for Learning

A great teacher encourages curiosity and critical thinking rather than rote memorization. Instead of allowing shortcuts like cheating, they assign creative tasks that require original thought and problem-solving.

Anatoly Pronin

"I'm against cheating as it indicates disinterest in the subject and a focus on grades rather than knowledge. A teacher's role is to show why learning matters. For instance, in Ruby on Rails development, you can't cheat your way through—if you lack skills, you'll struggle in your job and risk being fired.

Teachers have invaluable experience and offer personalized support to help students grasp material. They motivate learners by demonstrating that if the teacher succeeded, so can the students."

Rostelecom's "Watch.EGE" project supports teachers by providing video monitoring during national exams, ensuring students' authentic knowledge shines through and discouraging dishonest practices.

6. Cultivates Broad Interests

Subjects are interconnected—for example, a literature teacher with historical knowledge can enrich lessons by explaining the context behind a story. Likewise, a biology teacher familiar with geography can better illustrate animal migration patterns.

Roman Khazeev

"A teacher must love their profession to perform well. But relying solely on work and family can be limiting. Like a three-legged stool, adding hobbies provides stability and balance. Hobbies not only offer relaxation but also build bridges to students, helping connect on a human level."

Students appreciate teachers who share relatable experiences. For example, instead of saying "You'll understand why English is important when you're older," a story about how language skills helped navigate a foreign city makes a compelling case.

Anatoly Pronin

"Teachers need to engage in activities outside work to broaden their horizons and avoid burnout. For me, sports like running, swimming, and CrossFit help clear my mind and keep me energized. I also enjoyed social dancing, which improved my understanding of people—a vital skill in teaching."

7. Makes Even the Dullest Topics Engaging

A masterful teacher is also a captivating storyteller. Rather than reciting textbook passages monotonously, they enliven lessons with vivid quotes, humor, and relatable examples.

Sergey Rakov

Director of Video Surveillance Development at Rostelecom. Trains new colleagues on projects.

"Theory is best complemented by engaging stories from real experiences. Share challenges you faced and how you overcame them—or even failed. This humanizes lessons and captures attention."

Expert teachers master vocal delivery, maintain eye contact, and use gestures to connect. With abundant information available, educators focus on teaching students to analyze and think critically rather than just memorize content.

Kirill Pikhtovnikov

"Students today can focus for only 15-20 seconds. If you don't grab their attention quickly, they'll lose interest. Interactive elements are essential, even in academic subjects. For instance, writing two answer options on the board and having students choose based on prior discussion keeps them engaged."

8. Continuously Enhances Curriculum

True professionals ensure their teaching materials are relevant and captivating. Boring examples rarely stick with students or spark interest.

Roman Khazeev

"Comparing my university lectures a decade ago with teaching via Zoom today, I see that modern technology makes online education just as effective as in-person. Fast video connections and collaborative tools like Miro, Google Docs, and online quizzes enable seamless interaction and progress tracking."

Teachers can incorporate gamification by setting timed challenges and encouraging students to submit answers via messaging apps. Since students are already attached to their devices, they appreciate when teachers use technology to make lessons lively. Online resources like videos, illustrations, and charts further enrich the learning experience.

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