Teacher Enthusiasm: Seeking Student Learning and Avoiding Apathy

Abstract

Researchers have identified connections between teacher enthusiasm and positive student achievement, test performance, recall, on-task behavior, attitudes toward learning, intrinsic motivation toward the subject matter, feelings of vitality, and ratings of teacher effectiveness. There may also be positive benefits for teachers when enthusiasm invades the instructional setting. The purpose of this article is to address the importance of teacher enthusiasm, identify indicators of enthusiasm, and offer some insight into helping teachers and teacher candidates show enthusiasm.