What makes a good teacher?

I think teaching is all about being excited about the topic you are explaining. The worst kind of teacher is the one who just sits around and gives you assignments, while showing you fancy PowerPoint’s now and again letting the book explain the topic for them. I think a good teacher really needs to get into the topic and relate it to current issues so they can keep the attention of the audience. If the teacher is excited and explains the subject enthusiastically this attitude is sure to pass right along to the students. The attitude about the subject will come back when students do assignments and write papers on the topic (or at least it should).