Virginia,
A confident instructor knows their strengths, and can teach to those. Even weaker areas can be worked on if an instructor is willing to recognize where improvement is needed and work on making those stronger. Students like and need to see their instructor is both competent and confident.
Barry Westling
It is important to have a good understanding of myself as an instructor, because you need to have in place goals, organization and ideas. If you don't have these how can you lead. The students need to understand you, your thoughts and your ideas as well as your skills. When they can understand these things then they can gain their own "aha moments".
Michelle,
I agree. It's very important that we are positive role models. We can be cordial and friendly, but thinking of students as friends is unprofessional and potentially dangerous. Students need to look to us for direction and instruction. Students don't come to our schools to seek out instructors to be friends with. Rather, we are their facilitator of information and knowledge that leads to learning and readiness for the work place.
Barry Westling
Michelle,
Yes, and having that willingness to recognize there may be weaker areas we can improve on, and openess to change is a key trait of good instructors.
Barry Westling
If you are not sure where you stand in relation to your students, it may be easy to "cross the line" with the students or be their "buddy" instead of their leader. If you are unsure who you are, you will be unsure how to behave as a leader.
When you know your strenghts and your weakness there is a point where can improve. Continue to change to meet your students needs.
James,
Good for you! When ever we find a way that really connects with the class it is a great feeling and fuels more energy and enthusiasm into our instructional roles. It would be great to sustain that energy in every class session.
Barry Westling
I worked in another field before starting to teach. My mentor asked me to explain what I thought were my strengths and weaknesses were.
After making my list we talked about them and she dirrected me with my strengths and showed me how to improve my weaknesses. I looked at teaching as a sales situation. "I had to overcome the objections in the classroom to learning". Preparation was a hugh help and sold the class!
Dawn,
In management circles, they speak of making your weaker ares stronger. I think as long as we're open and willing to learn about where we're a bit weak, and flexible to learn, we'll do OK.
Barry Westling
Sonya,
You're right. And for me, like many instructors, I've learned bits and peices as time has progressed. Yes, I taken classesss and attended training, but there's always little tips and shortcuts that I have received from others in an informal manner, in a conversational way, like "do you know how to...?"
Barry Westling
By assessing myself in an objective way, I am able to improve myself as an educator. Knowing my strengths and weaknesses can only serve to increase my effectiveness, not only in the classroom, but in general.
I agree with you 100 percent. I understand that all of the students are not savvy with technology and that is a problem. Most of the places that they will be looking for employment will require them to have a degree of knowledge with technology. I try to encourage them learn as much as possible however most of that learning will have to take place outside of my classroom.
Sonya,
It's true, there are many tech savvy students, but not all are. One ongoing challenge is to find balance in the class so that we as instructors reach all our students with material that is useful, needed, interesting, current, and applicable to the trade they're preparing for. Naturally, if technology is a weaker area, the responsible instructor needs to take the time to bring themselves up to speed.
Barry Westling
Instructors should know their strengths and weaknesses and should take a simple personality test. I try to improve on areas where I may have a weakness so that I am able to give my students the best possible experienced in my class and make sure they reach the objectives. With the surge of technology in the world today, it must be incorporated in the classroom experienced to help reach this generation of technology savvy students reach the objective.
Samuel,
Thanks. Being flexible and open to other viewpoints can only help. Stephen Covey (7-Habits) says "seek first to understand, then be understood".
Barry Westling
Samuel,
Boy, I am on the same page with you. Among the vanishing traits these days are sincerity, honesty, and authenticity. When students see these in action, it makes for a much better learning atmosphere.
Barry Westling
I think that's the difference between Wisdom and Knowledge, Barry. A priceless lesson for all who wish to succeed. Good job.
I teach adults who are learning a new trade and skill in a time of their life when they are often frustrated with life's turns, and two things you can't bring into the classroom are ego and weakness. They will resist the first and attack the other. Humility and confidence, even when you make a mistake, earns their respect and demonstrates to them that we are people first, and leaders as well.
Rebecca,
I know for me, part of my instructional abilities has been developed from past mistakes and acknowledgement of areas I needed work in. I am stronger because of my past mistakes, and I've tried to understand my weaker areas, worked on strengthening them, and sought ways to broaden all my capabilities to teach. This is the result of my understanding of myself and my abilities. And it never ends - it's a continuous work in progress.
Barry Westling
Understanding yourself as an instructional leader will help both you and your students to succeed in class. If you can do a self assessment of sorts you can focus on areas that need improvement, and also become a more well rounded instructor.
