If you have an understanding of yourself as an instructional leader, you will know if you are going to fit in with the schools mission. If you do not fit in with the schools mission the tendency is to be unhappy at work. If you are unhappy your students will be unhappy. Also if you know yourself you can grow as instructor by working on our weakness and cultivating your strengths.
Hi Richard:
You've made a good point about the ability to exercise veratility in the calssroomj. As tesachers, we often have to wear multiple hats to best serve the situation at present. Definitely, not one size fits all.
Regards, Barry
It is not only important to know what kind or Instructor your are but to also know all types so you can switch up as needed. At different times during your session it will be necessary to know what method to use to best get across to the students and handle different situations most effectively.
Hi James:
I can understand that different individuals will have a diverse approach to their introductions to their class participants dependent on the type of work, school, or training they're involved with. Modifying that approach will be necessitated by the group dynamics or sometimes the course being taught.
Regards, Barry
It has become important for me to realize leadership does not require strict discpline all of the time. 20 plus years in the military tents to have a negative initial impact when couple with the I am in charge glare. So in time I have adjusted my meet and greet approcah. And have aquired a more open and softer introduction.
Hi Luke:
On course correction can sometimes be hard to receive but it does make for better instructors.
Regards, Barry
Hi Luke:
Terrific comments and insights into how you view the significance of influence on student performance. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Barry
Understanding yourself within the classroom setting will help one develop skills to accent strengths and shed light on possible shortcomings. Indeed it is hard to look at yourself especially when viewing weaknesses, but it is imperative to the expert delivery process.
Understanding oneself is paramount to catapulting you [us] from ordinary to extraordinary. If we look at all the people who have influenced us and our lives, most of the striking personalities have been ones who seem very sure of themselves. People who can not only lead, but recover from mistakes. Ones who stand in front of a class of differing personalities and identify with everyone. One who can be strict with policies, but flexible with personalities. I believe these traits become evident with someone who is comfortable with not only themselves, but the institution as well.
Hi Sheila:
Good personal insights. Thanks for sharing!
Regards, Barry
Hi Earl:
Great! I think all instructors could benefit from aligning themselves with the tenets you've described here. We'd all be better teachers.
Regards, Barry
My biggest learning having just started teaching is that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way- each person has to capitalize on the strengths they have and use those to plug into the class and deliver the information the best way possible. The 'Drill Sargeant' is not necessarily better than the 'Dead Poets Society' instructor nor vice versa- the key is are the students engaged and learning as best they can.
I think it is good to keep tabs on how you are doing and how you perform as an instructional leader. By doing so, you will ensure that you are constantly growing and performing your best. I have found that it is easy to get comfortable with "par" levels of teaching, but it is best for you and, more importantly, the students to self-evaluate and find a way to constantly improve your lesson and teaching methods.
Hi Douglass:
Great self awareness recognition. Sentiments and observations like these make us better instructors. Thanks for sharing.
Regards, Barry
Absolutely! I really try to force my self to apply my weaker teaching skills like not overreacting to mistakes in simple cooking techniques or going to fast through a lecture or demonstration. But I also find that when students see that I am human too and not just a big judemental Chef it helps them to lower their defenses.
Hi Ron:
Getting to know your students will help you relate to students beyond the student-teacher relationship. It'll help show the human side of your personality. I think students like to relate to positive people who are real and unpretentious.
Regards, Barry
Hi Douglass:
Good points. It's almost like opposites. Our strengths can help us identify where are weaker areas still persit. Our weaker areas give us insight and vision on where to improve. Our attitude towards willingness to adapt and openness to change makes us better teachers and individuals. Students pick up on these attributes more than may be obvious.
Regards, Barry
Hi Douglass:
Awesome. Students like variety in their learning. Methods to incorporate into your particular profession will liven up things up a lot!
Regards, Barry
Hi Ron:
Great self analysis and comments. It is important to understand ourselves, the more the better. I think this is a life long learning lesson too, that is, we are always in a position to learn something new, adapt and become better teachers and individuals.
Regards, Barry
WOW! that is very cool. I teach cooking and fabrication of meats and seafood. I also trey to use pictures to show the kinds of products we will be using. I make a game out of it by giving each table a set of pictures and have them identify them. Great fun! And it helps break up the lecture.
