Angela,
This sounds great. I think students respond better to instructors when their name (first or last) is used, it's just more personal. I feel I'm shy, but also an experienced educator and subject expert in my profession. When I'm wearing that hat I can be very dynamic. Inter-personally, I'd prefer to just go shut my door and work in my office.
Barry Westling
I agree because that the first thing we as instructor have to do. Understand who we are and what weakness we have. Some instrutors are very outgoing and do not have any issue speaking in the public as well do not mind to handle any student bad behaviors . Some others have introverded personality where they shy away from any student confrontation. As we take the role as instructor we must change and odopt our personality; since our personality plays a major impact in students learning and retention.
Ardiana,
I have to admit my instructor personality and personal, back-side natural self are very different. In role as educator and "commander of the class" I have to try hard to be open, communicate, and take charge when there are behavior needs. But my natural self is very laid back, quiet and pensive, and not wanting attention. I can adapt as needed, and am fully willing to do so.
Barry Westling
Knowing your personality will help understand how students are responding to you. Something as simple as being a morning person or not may impact the teaching and learning going on.
Debbie,
I agree. We sometimes get into our routines and forget that students are watching us, sometimes our every move. And even subtle mannerisms or inflections can be taken different ways, sometimes in ways we would never had intended.
Barry Westling
My understanding of myself has grown with my instructor growth. I am basically the same person, but I have made minor adjustments for instructing purposes; like my humor.
Owena,
Great! I think experience without growth is time wasted. I've viewed many student critiques of classes with the comment "a good instructor and in time will be a great instructor". By being creative, flexible, willing to try different approaches, sitting in on other's classes, and personal continuing education, an instructor becomes dynmaic, current, and perhaps more relatable to their students.
Barry Westling
I am a relatively new teacher in an area that I've been working in for 20+ years. I've found that my enthusiasm for the material that I teach most often makes what many people would consider a VERY DULL subject come to life for them! I try to tell them at the beginning of the course that they are going to LOVE the subject by the time I'm done with them, and of course they all guffaw! It's fun to win them over as the time goes by. My problem comes in when I've been asked to teach subjects that I'm not as enthusiastic about, and probably not nearly as knowledgeable! I'm trying to figure out how to be as effective an instructor in those courses as I am in my "core" area. I'm hoping that this class will help me with that!
Marie,
I have always found that enthusiasm, passion and interest are traits that students will appreciate regardless of the topic. So where there may some topics that are quite in your zone of preference, your energy and attitude can still make a difference, and make the class as memorable as those that you really love.
Barry Westling
To know myself is to know what I am capable of. I do my best not to compare myself with the other instructors, to be unique as only I can be. This is also an important quality in students.
Carol,
I agree. I believe students appreciate instructors who are genuine and authenic, rather than an artificial version of someone else. Being natural also helps make students more comfortable in class, which can promote the feeling their instructor is approachable when asking questions, adapting to their style and delivery, and seeking extra help.
Barry Westling
Its important for an instructor to have a thorough understanding of themselves and their teaching techniques in order to realize if there is improvement needed. Its also important because knowing yourself will help you to know what your can and cannot tolerate.
Aneisha,
I think we all tend to teach to our strengths, and knowledge of those strengths helps with self understanding. Topics, practices, media, or resources we are less comfortable with can be identified and improved to the point where what was once was a weaker area can become one of our stronger suits.
Barry Westling
My teaching experience extends from Middle School through College. The experience at different levels has taught me a tremendous amount about my own strengths and weaknesses. I have also had the opportunity to witness how other instructors deliver the material and interact with the students, which has given me the opportunity to experiment with different strategies, and I have gained a better understanding of my own personality and strengths in the classroom. I now see myself as a combination of different "classroom personalities" and can better adjust to individual and class needs.
Gail,
Great! It's nice when we have a good, reality-based perception of our strengths and weaker areas. I agree that through subjecting oneself to classroom observations by others, and sitting on others classes, one can learn a lot about themselves as well as pick up ideas that seem to make sense.
Barry Westling
I agree with yur assessment. I also believe that knowing your stregths and weaknesses helps you in being able to deliver the information to the students effectively while also keeping you in a positive light. If the student feels that you have a grasp onthe information and theat you can explain it to them properly, I feel thatthere is a certainamount of respect for the instructor that comes form that.
Jacquvalon,
Trust and respect are rarely assumed sentiments given to instructors these days. Most times, students are neutral until they realize their instructor is there to help them, listens, is fair, shows patience, and conveys enthusiasm towards the class and it's contents.
Barry Westling
It is important to understand yourself as an instuctor for it allows to identify your strengts and weaknesses. It also allows the instructor to relate to their students.
Kanidrus
Kanidrus ,
A good example is an athelete preparing for a competition. Knowing his/her areas where they are strong still requires focus. Also, ares they know they're weaker may require extra attention. With understanding, the athelete can use their personal self knowledge to emerge a winner. So it is with instructors who work to ready themselves for their classes based on an understanding of personal awareness.
Barry Westling
Understanding myself and realizing my strengths and weaknesses help me identify my best approach in the classroom. I also can get a clearer picture of how I am perceived by my students
