If I understand myself, then I understand and acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses. I will know which areas of my teaching can be improved and which areas can simply be modifield depending on the individual course and the students themselves. An instructional leader knows how to engage students, utilize resources, and learn from other instructors' techniques.
Irina,
Right! What an awesome opportunity and responsibility.
Barry Westling
And also to have a unique ablity to inspire students.
Irina,
We all have strengths and unique personalities, but we all can exercise just being open and demonstrate a willingness to help our students.
Barry Westling
Very true. Students have to feel our support and respect!
Irina,
Right! I think setting our stance that we care, are real in relating to students, try to be approachable, make classes interesting, and treat students with courtesey and fairly, contributes to improved trust and respect. When we earn that, students are more likely to follow our directives and fulfill our expectations. We can help them, help us lead them.
Barry Westling
As a leader you can make a difference in students life. It is not enough to be just an instructor. You have to share your knoweledge and experience with students. You have to guide them.
Craig,
Many instructors recognize they have weaker areas that could be improved on. Creating a mindset to first, acknowledge, then improve,is a great step towards sharpening our skills as teachers. Naturally, our stronger traits will try to dominate, but if we are open and willing to improve, all will benefit.
Barry Westling
Always striviing for improvement makes us even more successful.
Debbie,
Adaptability is, in my opinion, one of the most useful and needed traits a teacher can possess of acquire. It goes along with the inevitibility of change in our workplace. Those willing to embrace it surrive and achieve great . Resistance will be reflected in poorer student outcomes, something no one wants to occur. For me, adaptibilty is part action - what I do with what's given me, and part attitude - how I think about my job responsibilities. Sometimes, just an optimistic attitude is all that is needed to change to the the positive force an adaptable nature proiduces.
Barry Westling
Your statement, "the life of a teacher is ever evolving" rings true for my teaching experiences. Each classroom is so different, even though the course objectives are the same. I walk into a new class ready to experience individuals with different learning styles, language barriers, and multi-cultural differences...my teaching methods continue to evolve to adapt to fit each group of students. Thankfully, I am an adjunct instructor, so my teaching load is not overwhelming.
One of my strengths, found the assement called "Strength Finders" is adaptability. I have found this strength to help me in my evolving with new teaching methods because of: new students, new text books (sometimes with a 2 week notice) and changes from the administration at my career college.
This strength is stretched and sometimes I have to rein in this strength of adaptability to keep my focus on the objectives of the course and facilitating a learning environment that is not too overwhelming for my students who have difficulties adapting...I have to pause and look at their faces to see how everyone is doing...love the nonverbal communication!
James,
Terrific! Taking an interest in our students and relating to them as adults goes along ways to building trust and respect. Being open to different ideas and opinions and never putting someone down are basic traits that any teacher can do, and their students will always appreciate what that teacher had to give them.
Barry Westling
Susan,
Being confident conveys so much to students, least among them is trust and respect. When the teacher is unsure, it creates doubt about other things, sort of subtle things that can diminish the effectiveness of the instructor.
Barry Westling
I like to think that I have developed the sense of feeling people out and learning a little about them when I first meet them. I know my field very well and fell in love with teaching shortly after I started. I still strive to learn the differant types of students on a daily basis. Thru this course I've been reminded to make sure I don't loose any enthusiasim!!!!
It is important to understand yourself so that you are aware of your strong points as well as those areas in which you need to improve. Confidence in the subject you are teaching, and awareness of your own values and biases are also important.
Craig,
Being our best is what most of us aspire for. We must recognize we all have stronger traits, and weakers areas that we may even avoid. But avoiding a problem area won't help get it resolved. So, understanding (analysis and assessment) of why we need improvement in a certain area is the beginning to seeing it corrected. With time, perhaps this "weaker" area could become a teachers strong point.
Barry Westling
If you have an understanding of yourself as an instructional leader you will be much better in your interactions with your students and, therefore, be a better instructor. You will be able to focus on what your strengths in teaching/commuications are and what your weaknesses are. You can devote more time to improve on your weaknesses - either on your own or be seeking help from other instructors, administrators, etc... You will know when you need to be more patient or more engaging with your students.
Kelsey,
Weaknesses can be just as important too, if we allow ourselves the opportunity for self anaysis, and a willingness to make improvements. This can be done in the classroom in small steps until what once was a weakness has become a stronger attribute.
Barry Westling
Self understanding is important in any career, but in teaching it helps you see yourself from the students perspective and will allow you to work on your weaknesses and build upon your strengths.
Maurice,
I think we all work from where we are in our current thinking and sense of "best practice". We want to stay open to new ideas and the opportunity to improve. By doing so, we continuously grow and therefore become better teachers.
Barry Westling
