Memorable teacher profile criteria

At our school, most students choose their teacher based on the teacher’s profile. Your profile is crucial as it serves as the primary introduction to prospective students, demonstrating why you are a great fit to help them achieve their goals. Therefore, it’s essential to fill out your profile thoughtfully. A well-crafted profile can significantly influence how many students choose to study with you, their level of engagement, and their retention during the learning process.

In this article, we have gathered recommendations to help you make your profile as appealing as possible to both parents and students. Following these tips will help you attract more students, make more informed choices, and reduce dropout rates during the learning process.

What do students or parents look for when choosing a teacher?

• A person who loves teaching and is passionate about what they do.
• A professional who knows how to instill a love for the subject and effectively convey knowledge.

To create a good profile, follow these guidelines.

Photo Guidelines

Photography is the first meeting with you.

General Requirements:

1. Maximum photo size: 5 MB; file format: JPEG/JPG/PNG.
2. File Format: Accepted formats are JPEG/JPG or PNG.
3. Image Shape: A square format is ideal for the profile image.
4. Lighting: Ensure the photo is well-lit so that your face is clearly visible.
5. Clarity: The picture should be sharp and clear.
6. Background: Use a neutral background that doesn’t distract from your face.

How to take a good photo

1. The photo must be of good quality—free from graininess and blurriness, with balanced brightness, contrast, and color. If you're using your phone’s front camera (selfie), ensure the image is clear. Alternatively, ask someone to take a photo of you with the back camera for better quality.
2. Use good lighting to clearly show your face. Natural light from a window, or sufficient artificial light from a lamp or daylight, works well.
3. Avoid full-length shots. Your face should be the focal point, filling no more than 50% of the photo, and it should be entirely visible—no sunglasses, hats, or scarves.
4. Aim for a neat, approachable appearance. Avoid looking too overdressed or unkempt. Photos from parties or dating sites, or overly formal ID-style photos, are not appropriate. Find a balanced, professional look.
5. Be friendly. A light, relaxed smile and a warm look are more inviting than any description.
6. Experiment with different photos. Take several shots, perhaps over different days, and choose the one where you feel most confident and approachable. Ensure the person in the picture is someone you would trust with your child’s education.

Here are some examples of good profile pictures

Description text “About Myself”

The main task of the text description is to convey that you are a professional who can be trusted.

What is important for a student looking for a teacher:

• The teacher has a specialized education or is in the process of obtaining it.

• The teacher has teaching experience.

• The teacher can find an approach and establish contact with the student.

• The teacher can effectively teach and generate interest in the subject.

Additional criteria for choosing an English teacher:

1. Practical knowledge: It’s crucial that the teacher not only understands English in theory but also uses it actively in daily life. This could include teaching, working in an English-speaking company, or having lived or studied abroad.
2. Professional qualifications: Mention any additional educational certificates and qualifications that demonstrate your ability to teach various students,not just schoolchildren, including preparation for international exams. Highlight successful cases where you’ve significantly helped students make progress. This demonstrates your adaptability and broad expertise.
3. Language proficiency: Knowing other languages indicates that you have personal experience in learning a language, which can be a valuable asset in teaching English effectively. It also shows your capability to understand and empathize with the challenges faced by language learners.
4. Hobbies and interests: share your hobbies and interests. It's important for parents to see that you have common ground with their child, which can help build rapport and foster engaging discussions.

We suggest presenting these points in the following order:

Education and Experience

1. If you have a specialized education, briefly describe what kind of education you received. Avoid simply listing the university; focus on the outcome of your education. If you are still studying, mention your future specialization and direction.
2. Include any advanced training certificates or international diplomas related to teaching your subject.
3. If you work or have worked for a company using your subject knowledge (e.g., programming or English), mention it. Be specific and concise.
4. Highlight any other languages you know, and if you have lived or studied abroad, specify how many years and in which countries.
5. Indicate how long you have been teaching the subject and the categories of students you most often work with. Mention where you have taught: at school, university, private schools, online, etc.

Approach to teaching and relationships with students

1. Share what you enjoy teaching the most and how your knowledge and experience in the subject can positively impact students after classes with you. Convey your love of teaching and your desire to help students achieve their goals and spend their time productively.
2. Mention what you enjoy doing in your free time; your student may have similar hobbies.
3. Invite the student to join your class. Express that you will be glad to start a new journey together or use other encouraging words to motivate them to choose you.

General requirements

• Keep it concise: Limit your text to between 400 and 800 characters. 
• Use the first person: Write your story from the first-person perspective and maintain this viewpoint throughout the text.
• Structure your text: Break the content into clear, meaningful paragraphs to make it easier to read. Avoid long blocks of text.
• Ensure accuracy: Review your text for grammatical and punctuation errors to maintain professionalism.
• Avoid abbreviations: Spell out all terms and avoid using abbreviations to ensure clarity and understanding.

Here are <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cbUDPXFIejw?si=aOgj9ywoKDVIZ8Z7" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>xamples of a good background story

Example 1

Alumnus of the Novosibirsk State University, major in teaching English as a second language. In 2021, I received the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Cambridge.

I’ve been an English teacher since 2015, starting out at a public school, teaching for 2 years at my alma mater and eventually becoming an online tutor.

My goal during lessons is to guide and encourage my students to find the right solution on their own. I try to find common interests with my students and adapt lessons as need be, so that students enjoy learning. I love video games and football, and I’m currently learning French. (620 characters)

Example 2

I graduated from a college of education, major in English and German, making me a linguist. I worked at a summer camp for children and teenagers in Germany for three months. I also volunteered in Spain and Italy.

Began teaching English in 2017 at a public school to middle and high school students and also conducted private lessons for children and teenagers.

I try to concentrate on the communicative approach during my lessons, which makes it easier to overcome the student’s language barrier and brings more variety to our lessons, making learning more engaging. I enjoy learning languages as well, and am currently learning Arabic, Spanish and Italian. (658 characters).

Example 3

Master’s degree in International Business from the School of Business and Economy. Graduate of the Institute of Translators as a translator in the sphere of professional communications. Studied and worked in London from 2017 to 2021.

I started teaching English in 2021, tutoring applicants for Bachelor and Master programs abroad, as well as TOEFL and GMAT exam applicants. I also tutor colleagues for their TOEIC exams with a focus on Business English and retail.

I aim to develop grammatically correct and fluent speaking skills for my students, and try to adapt content to their needs for full immersion into the chosen field. I’m currently learning French and working at a Japanese company. (692 characters)

Example 4

Degree in Law, graduated magna cum laude from the Institute of Economics and Economic Law, Master’s degree from a university in France. Worked in the field of international cooperation in science, education, culture  and linguistics.

I have been teaching Law and Economy in universities and adult education centers since 2008, I also tutor students for BSE and USE exams in Social Studies.

I implement investigative and interactive teaching methods and aim to be objective in analyzing specific situations. I nurture an interdisciplinary way of thinking and encourage maximum involvement of my students in our lessons, always open for dialogue and always striving to be positive. (677 characters)

Example 5

Bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Literature, Master’s degree as a teacher. My first teaching job was at a grammar school of humanities in 2018, but I started tutoring when I was still a student.

I’m inquisitive and I encourage my students to be the same, so they can find answers on their own. My main focus is punctuation and spelling. In 2021, I became a certified expert in BSE and USE for the Russian language, so I know the intricacies of these exams. I help my students navigate the labyrinthine paths of grammar rules and teach them how to process information well. I also try to show them the beauty of the Russian language. In my spare time, I play piano and write poems. (688 characters)

Example 6

Teacher of Physics, alumnus of the Moscow State University, Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics. Started teaching in 1990. I tutor students for BSE and USE exams in Physics and hold elective courses in Robotics.

I’ve been private tutoring since 2005. I’ve adopted the activity approach as my teaching style, which foresees active involvement of my students. I try to present complicated topics in the most approachable, informative and concise manner without omitting crucial nuances. I help my students find answers on their own and try to make Physics a subject they can love. I’m also interested in allied subjects, such as astrophysics, astronomy, nuclear physics and bioengineering. (687 characters)

Example 7

Certified chess coach. I’ve been playing chess since I was 4 years old, got my Candidate Master of Sports title in 2014 and became a certified judge in 2017. Multiple awards in championships of the Moscow Oblast. I helped organize and hold various chess events, including championships and competitions, children’s tournaments, workshops and simultaneous displays.

In 2015, I began coaching aspiring players for competitions and tournaments of various levels. I focus on practice and strategy, as well as developing critical thinking skills. My training sessions are dynamic as I use various interactive resources and gaming approaches. (635 characters)

Example 8

Pre-school tutor. In 2021, I graduated from the Krasnoyarsk State University of Education, major in Pre-school and Primary Education. I also completed internships at summer camps and public schools. I’ve been working at a children’s training center since 2020.

I started teaching at a public school in 2020. My goal is to find an individual approach for every student, so I strive for dialogue, psychological comfort and an atmosphere of trust. I try to teach kids that making mistakes is a necessary part of learning and finding the right solution. I also teach them to recognize and correct these mistakes. I enjoy painting and sometimes organize and hold various art exhibitions. (681 characters)

Example 9

I teach computer literacy courses. In 2014, I received my diploma in Professional Education, major in Programming.

In 2015, I began working as a teacher of Robotics and Programming. I’m also interested in web design and website development. I have experience preparing students for competitions and Olympiad exams in various disciplines.

I teach children the basics of critical thinking, ways to propose hypotheses and find solutions on their own. I consider independence to be the cornerstone of all future successes in every walk of life. I enjoy basketball and orienteering games. (581 characters)

Audio Recording «About Myself»

Why do students and parents listen to the audio recording?

1. To find out how the teacher speaks English, checking for a pronounced accent and any errors in speech.

2. This is the second emotional contact after the photo. The mood in your voice can either attract or repel. Remember, the listener is looking for not just a professional, but someone who can connect with them or their child.

How to record a great audio greeting

1. Be positive and friendly. Record your greeting in a good mood, aiming to be open and approachable.
2. Practice first. Write your script in advance and rehearse your pronunciation and intonation. Avoid sounding monotonous or like you're reading directly from a script.
3. Record multiple takes. Create several recordings, listen to them, and re-record if necessary. Avoid reading the text too rigidly, as this can be off-putting.
4. Speak clearly and pace yourself. Enunciate clearly and don't rush.

General requirements

1. Duration: 30 to 60 seconds.
2. Language: English only.
3. Quality: Ensure high-quality sound. Avoid background noise, machine sounds, rustling, wind, or other extraneous sounds. Your voice should be clear and at an adequate volume—avoid whispering.
4. File Size: Maximum of 25 MB.
5. File Format: mp3, ogg.

Script: what to include in your audio

1. Start with a warm welcome: “Hello, and welcome to Skyeng/Skysmart!”. Introduce yourself briefly.
2. Share key details about your background, such as your education, internships, and any experience living abroad. Mention your teaching experience.
3. Highlight your unique teaching qualities and strengths.
4. Talk about your interests and hobbies to give a sense of your personality.
5. Invite them to join your lessons and express your enthusiasm: “I look forward to starting this exciting journey with you!”

Note: Having an audio recording in your profile significantly increases your chances of being chosen by students. Don’t delay—record your audio now!

Some examples of good audio introductions

1. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio1 
2. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio2 
3. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio3  
4. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio4
5. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio5
6. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio6
7. https://go.skyeng.ru/audio7  

How to update your profile?

To modify your profile, please fill out and submit the following form: 

• Teacher profile adjustment form