Barry Westling

Hi Amanda:
Another way to look at this is to rephrase it as "Understanding myself". Knowing when and how far I can go, and when I should hold back - these are elements of knowledge, experience, delivery and presentation that Assist us in extending or limiting our expression to our students. Can't fake it as students will see. So, being honest and genuine, natual in our presentation will convey a balance of the sum of what we have to offer.

Regards, Barry

Amanda Busby

There is a famous quote that essentially points out that even the best strength, when overused, can become a weakness. This quote immediately came to mind when I first noticed this thread.

As suggested in an earlier module, I reflected on prior teachers that made an impact on me and tried to identify what commonalities were among them all.

It seems the ones I remember most favorably were the most down to earth, treated everyone with the highest level of respect, and seemed to strike a nice balance between working on self-improvement and personal growth and with self acceptance of themselves "warts and all," as a former professor often stated.

This module helps me remember to take personal inventory of my strengths and weaknesses and to remember how each can impact my job perfomance.

Barry Westling

Hi Kathryn:
Good example. We can receive input from a lot of sources, and they all can point to an outstanding or undsirable trait the teacher may not even be aware about. Example might include student evalutaions (as you point out), but also peer reviews, classroom observations, sitting anothers classroom for a similar class by a different teacher, supervisor evaluations, self evaluations, faculty meeting dealing with expectations. In each, teachers will hopefully see trends or direct areas that are god and that neeed improvement.

Thegood teacher will respond by being willing to make changes. The unwilling teacher is destined to repeat undesirable behavior and ulimately, students suffer as the a result.

Regards, Barry

Kathryn Duvenci

You can also get feedback about your strengths and what you need to work on from the student evaluations of your class(es). Most students are brutally honest and if you keep seeing the same comments from a variety of students you can be sure it is either a strength or an area you need to work on. i.e., " I get tired of Mr. Jones (instructor) always sitting at his desk during lab." or " Mr. Jones always checks with the students in his class to make sure they have everything they need for a successful Lab experience." The first type of comment would indicate Mr. Jones needs to circulate around the lab -- something he needs to work on. The second type shows a strength that hopefully he will keep doing.

Barry Westling

Hi Gingi:
These personality assessments may help understand oneself toa degree, but they are limited. I agree that a "genuine version of yourself" is better an artificail version of someone else. Students will notice when we are sincere ad honest, and when we're faking it or insincere in or delivery.

Regards, Barry

Gingi Fulcher

It is good to work along the lines of your own personal strengths rather than trying to be like other instructors. It's not likely, you will be able to change your personality much before the first day of class. I think assesment tools are helpful in finding out your strengths. I have not taken the DISC, but I would like to know how it differes from the MBTI.

Barry Westling

Hi Joseph:
I've used these assessments and agree they are useful in identifying "trends" that instructors may lean towards. I responsd this way beccause I've seen the same test given sequentialy and the results vary at each offering. I think, in part, the key to the success of these tests is the honesty and accuracy of the individual responding. So, to the degree that these limitations can be overcome, they're great assessment tools to determine personality type, stengths, and options to consider towards improving weaker areas.

Regards, Barry