Being an instructor is not a static role, but a dynamic one in which the instructor needs to continuously be alert to changes or emergent learning opportunities. In order to best address the needs of the class I need to be aware of my own strengths and weaknesses. I can use many different tools to increase this awareness such as in-class observations by other instructors, both peer or supervisory, input and evaluations by students and my own "gut" sense of how things are going. I like the idea of keeping a journal and reflecting on how the classroom experience was for a given day. I especially need to see my weaknesses, not as failure, but as opportunities for growth. I have been in situations where the observing supervisor was very critical, unsupportive and harsh toward my weaknesses and had little to provide in acknowledging my strengths. With a dictate to "fix it" without any guidance or support, I felt very undermined and eventually began to doubt if I was in the right profession. With time and maturity however, I began to realize several things: #1) The environment I was working in was very negative and defeating and I needed to find a healthier environment in which to work and #2) I needed to listen, even to the harshest criticism and try to glean nuggets of truth that would help me grow. This meant taking responsibility for my own growth as an instructor. I now KNOW I am in the right career and have a passion to continue to learn and grow personally and professionally.
Patti,
Being willing to improve, adjust, view oneself critically without being self-demeaning is really a demonstration of maturity and objectivity towards becoming a better instructor. It's always a work in progress, a journey (not a destination), and an experience that changes lives.
Barry Westling
In my line of work teaching and welding are two diffrent things. Mostly you have to know what you are doing and how to correct it the right way for welding code reasons. I believe in my line of work you are only as good of a teacher as you are a welder!
Brian,
True, we were all hired because our technical skills qualified us to instruct, so it would be essential that instructors know their stuff. Many professions are in a state of change from time to time, but for sure, learning to be a good teacher is an constant work in progress.
Barry Westling
Absolutely agree. When you truly understand yourself as an person. You will know your strengths and weakness and what you need to do to become an instructor lead.
Like the course said, To know my strenghts and weaknesses. Thats what I like about this training. I find new stuff I need to grow on each time I get into it.
Harrison,
Great. And many instructors also receive the motivation to examine where improvements may be needed, and make a determination to be committed to seeing improvements occur.
Barry Westling
If you do not know your self how can you present your self? They all say thoes who know do, and thoes who do not know teach. An instructor instructs, passing on the skills and the life skills nessary to succeed in the chosen subject a teacher does just the basic to pass on information. We need to think about ourselves as instructors at all times. Knowing about yourself is the start to instructing. Are your skils up to date to present the material and answer questions about it that are relevaint in todays enviroment of the subject?
Robert,
It's been said "talking is not teaching" and also, "teaching has not occurred if students have not learned". I try to remember these axioms when I feel I need to convey new or difficult ideas to students, especially in topics that have proved difficult in the past.
Barry Westling
Because as much as we instructors are actors in front of our classes we need to know the material that we teach. You can fool some of the people some of the time... I need to know what I know and what is left over if you get caught B'Sn to your students it will be that much harder for them to listen to what you have to say from then on.
Paul,
This was an interesting comment. In truth, we are all unique versions of ourselves, not another quite like us. And with that comes the need to understand deeply, internally, where we are awesome, and where a weaker side of us hides. The hidden part is ripe for cultivation and is often a lifelong, continuous process towards improvement, if we are willing to be open to discovering it, recognizing it when it is found, and be willing to work towards self improvement.
Barry Westling
Understanding yourself as an instructor is a key component to being successful. You need to understand your weaknesses and how to overcome them. Understanding will also help you in assisting students to ivercome their weaknesses.
Charmelia,
I like to approach my classes with the expectation I'm a subject matter expert and can serve my students by sharing my knowledge in a way that both helps learn what they need and stimulates continuous learning even after the complete the program. Of course that does not mean I am near perfect, just confident in what I do. Students appreciate instructors who make them comfortable in their learning experience, and instructor confidence is one of those traits.
Barry Westling
It has taken a few years for me to understand who I am as an instructor. Now that I do, so do the students. I feel my class is able to be more successful because they aren't struggling with wondering what to expect. Understanding myself allows me to have more confidence, knowing that the decisions I have made are the usually the correct on and if they aren't, the sky won't fall.
Julie,
I think students appreciate instructors who demonstrate confidence because that make them feel more at ease, that they're learning something, and classes run more smoothly because of the instructors expertise and personal understanding.
Barry Westling
Understanding yourself as an instructional leader can be beneficial for your teaching capabilities as well as to the classroom in general. By gaining a sense of self understanding, the instructor is able to utilize their strengths to help increase the knowledge of their students as well as increase the interest of the students to the material being taught. Additionally, by knowing ones strengths it is easy to see ones weaknesses, thus making one aware of areas that need to be worked on or improved. This would make the instructor an even bigger asset to the institution and more well-rounded to effectively teach their students.
Jennifer,
Right. Let's face it, we all have strengths and areas that we can improve on. Awareness of ourselves about where we shine and where we don't is one part. The more important part is what we do about it. And I think better instructors first recognize where improvement is needed and then are willing to do all that is needed to make the weaker, stronger. And strangely, humility regarding a weaker trait adds to the credibility of an individual.
Barry Westling
I am starting a new job at a career college. Part of my orientation is watchig other instructors. I knew I would find things I like and do not like. What suprised me is that my idea of the type of teacher I would be is changing as I learn from these other instructors. I'm excited to get started!
Kimberley,
That's great! I always have new instructors sit in other instructors classes. It gives insight to how different instructors approach similar topics, or demonstrates the variety of creative methods different instructors have come up with. I'm sure most observers learn to take what they feel as meaningful and adapt those methods and activities into their own version. Also, even undesirable instructor traits can be useful to witness, as these can drive home the point not to follow that path.
Barry Westling
The three characteristics that I have found invaluable as an instructor, other than being knowledgeable in the topic, are being flexible/adaptable, being genuine and having a sense of humor. Taking the content of the class an adapting it to the audiance, utilizing these concepts is something I learned very early on in my career.
