Eddy,
Our confidence and competence as an instructor is founded in our strengths we bring to the classroom. We are all unique, with strengths and weaker areas that could be improved on. We can rely on our stronger areas for instructing as that is where we are comfortable. We ought to be willing to work on or weaker areas for improvement. Over time the weaker areas can become a part of our stronger skill set.
Barry Westling
Having an understanding of self. helps one to become stronger by focusing on strengths and building, or learning how to handle ones weaknesses. Once we become comfortable as to who we are, and what makes us tick, we are more apt to be a better instructor, leader, and parent.
Novella,
You're right, we tend to gravitate to what we're comfortable with and to some extend, shy away from what we know we need work on. Yet experienced instructors know that once we identify a weaker area, that gives us the opportunity to begin to chip away at the barrier and work towards making the weak area one of our strongest. My observation is that this is an ongoing, ever-constant need for effective instruction.
Barry Westling
If you have an understanding of yourself and how you work I feel that you will have an easier time figuring out how to teach the students the best way possible.
Courtney,
Yeah, we have to stretch sometimes to meet all the needs of students. But that stretching can sometimes turn a former weaker area into a new stronger area, and as a resuilt make us better instructors. Ah..., the benefits of stretching!
Barry Westling
As this particular portion of the course stated; it allows you to play to your strengths and work on your weaknesses as an Instructor.
I am a perfectionist when it comes to my personality. I love to master whatever I choose to perform, and do not feel confidant unless I am "perfectly prepared". As a new Instructor, it has been a challenge for me to know that I am not perfect, and I have yet to "master" my curriculum. I am slowly starting to realise that no Instructor is perfect, and that true "mastery" of teaching never happens, because as a great Instructor, you must constantly be learning new techniques yourself!
I accept this challange we call teaching. And choose to begin a course of professional improvement that will never end. I strive to become the best Instructor I can be.
Juliana,
Great self reflection! It's true, good instruction never reaches it's full potential and is a lifelong pursuit. For me (also a perfectionist), my sanity was restored when I began to "seek excellence, not perfection". This has allowed me to do my job well while not going nuts trying to serve all my high self expectations.
Barry Westling
This makes perfect sense if you are coming from the world out side of teaching. When you work in a medical field you have to constantly put your self in the patients place to make sure the offuce is clean and neat. You need to do the same when teiing to communicate with patients, to make sure they understand what it is you are talking about.
Paula,
Good point. Students often forget that, even though they are students in a school setting, they are still being trained for a work setting that will have expectations. Self evaluation is paramount for students to successfuly make the transition from student to worker.
Barry Westling
I believe is important to understand who you are as an teacher in order teach effectively. If students feel like you do not know what you are doing and seems confuse about youself, then that can effect not only you delivery method of teacheing but the learning of the students.
LaToya,
Confidence complements competence. We need to present ourselves as the subject matter experts, and convey that sentiment whenever we are with students. One way to doi this is to try to develop a professional but personal relationship with the student, in order to be able to discuss matters pertaining to the course with each student. This helps reinforce our role, and contributes to building trust and respect.
Barry Westling
I think by understanding one self as an instructor it very important for, how well are you are presenting the information to the students and how well it is received. Also, at the end of the course we get feed back from the students on how well the course went, good, bad, etc., then I use that information to help myself understand how I was performing during that class.
Tracy,
We do have self perceptions that may differ from students. Feedback from as many sources as possible is better than being in a vacuum, or refusing to adapt or respond to positive, constructive feedback.
Barry Westling
Good point Barry. Coming from healthcare background which evolves continually, fosters an attitude of being open and flexible for the next "change" in how we do things, and how we teach. The students watch very closely for this flexibility, and striving to present being open to change prepares them for a more successful transition into their chosen career.
Joan,
Glad you recognize the uniquenesses and traits that good instructors can use for the benefit of our students. Willingness to change can be a really hard choice, or easy to adopt as a general approach to instruction.
Barry Westling
I believe that you must understand who you are as an instructor and the type of instructor you are in order to grow your strengths and change bad habits. I tend to be a student focused instructor and believe in working on things a little at a time in order to form a solid foundation for the student to build upon. I was once however encouraged to push my students harder early on in the education process in order to “weed out†those that may not be up to the task in the long haul. Needless to say it was a bad outcome for both me and the students overall, it was also a very short lived attempt. In the end knowing who I am and how I can get the best results has been my greatest tool. I am much more comfortable being who I am and the students respond much better seeing my confidence.
Daniel,
Great self reflection, Daniel. Experience can be a great teacher, but only if we learn from mistakes, adopt a willingness to adapt attitude, and assume our responsibilites seriously with the anticipation of great student outcomes as the result of our efforts. Being real, genuine versions of ourselves rather than an imitation of someone else is also important. With these traits, we can arrive in the classroom competent and confident with ourselves and and the content we're accoutable to teach.
Barry Westling
I believe that it is importanat for one to know themselves. As the famous saying goes, Know Thyself. If you know yourself then you will know what is acceptable to you and what is not. You will be able to better instruct, I believe your students.
Luciana,
Right! Self understanding is so important. It contributes to both our confidence and competence as instructors, and also makes for a smoother and more relaxed setting and learning involvement.
Barry Westling
When attempting to get the attention of the students on a classroom, showing confidence in every aspect is crucial. Knowing your strengths and weakness represents a clear advantage, since you can make emphasis on what you are knowledgeable of, but can you also state that you might not have the answer at that time, but can have it ready for next class. Students appreciate when the instructor has enough self-confidence to say I do not know.
