Introduction The word ‘teacher’ has different meanings, interpretations and connotations. A person who provides education or schooling to a child or to children is generally referred to as a ‘teacher’. Parents are often seen as the child’s first teachers or educators. The characteristics of good teachers can differ depending on a multitude of factors. The key task of a teacher is to educate. We know that all children are born with the potential to excel in whatever they wish to do. It is their parents, the environment, and their teachers who help them to achieve, and sometimes fail to fulfil their full potential. Many cultures respect teachers as the architects who help produce responsible citizens for common good. The role of teachers in shaping the mindset of future generation is critical. A teacher affects eternity - the passing of righteous knowledge is one of the few deeds that continue to attract dividends forever. The responsibilities that teachers have on their shoulders are truly burdensome and exceptionally rewarding. Therefore, to view teaching as a ‘job’ or just means to earning a living is, at best, very unfortunate. I subscribe to the view that teaching is more than a profession. One of the equivalences to teaching is the duties of parents. It would be inconceivable for the human race to survive or civilisations to thrive if the bringing-up of offspring was simply viewed as a job. On the contrary, this has the potential to lead humanities to titanic destruction. The aim in this humble attempt is to identify a few characteristics that are vital for discharging the duties that are commonly demanded from a teacher. Teachers’ role is extensive and makes it impractical to outline a full set of common qualities. The attributes and characteristics of good teachers vary and cannot be totally objective. A quality of a teacher becomes good when it has a positive impact on the learner and the learning outcome. Children respond differently and not everything is as effective with everyone. (to be continued...)