Hi Thomas:
Natural teachers are a precious entity. Approachable and friendly, amazing knowledge and willing to share it, creative and imaginative, classes always fun and interesting. Another trait is an almost unending willingness to spend the needed time when students need or want help. We can all aspire to most of these traits even if we're not natural at it, but willing to work at it.
Regards, Barry
I understand my strengths and weaknesses in order for me to be able to provide the best instruction possible. Teaching comes naturally to me. I have been instructing students for about 12 years and it has become fun to pass on knowledge.
Hi Kay:
Good! I think we all have a personality with positive attributes suitable for teaching.
I think it's also important that we portrary real versions of ourselves, rather than an artificial version of someone else (like a respected teacher or mentor). Being sincere and honest, approachable and caring can do much to convey to a class "this teacher cares about my success".
Regards, Barry
Because your instruction method reflects a great deal about you as a person and as a professional. If you know your topic well, are prepared with your personal introduction, class outline, humorour remarks to insert at the right time, and good sense of well being all of this will be projected to the students and enforse you as an SME in your field.
Hi Tim:
Many teachers really do not have secure self image, as it relates to teaching. They may new and feel inadequate. They feel weak in one or more topic areas. I guess the list could very long. As educators, just like our students, when we idenify a weaker area that gives us an opportunity to work on improving it. Competence and confidence go together.
Regards, Barry
If you do not have understanding of yourself than how can you successfully teach your students. The students will look to someone who is confident rather than unsure any day of the week.
Tim
Hi Dennis:
Getting to that "relaxed point" really can only come to most after a bit of time being angst, tense, and stressed out about how the classes are going. So, kudo's to you. I think we all do better when we relaxed and confident in the subject matter. Students do better as well.
Regards, Barry
It took some time to find myself as an instructor and I have been fine tuning every course cycle enjoying every minute. My biggest challenge was to except that I can give the students the tools to be successful and have the patience to repeat and review at times with students that are not at the same level as others thus aquiring a balnce approach with a relaxed student focused mannerism.
Hi Leonardo:
Yes, and we all do have stronger and weaker attributes that make up the whole of who we are. Knowing how to use our weaker areas should not be avoided, but rather, embraced and practiced so as to make them stronger.
Regards, Barry
Hi Thomas:
Great! It seems to me you have a good grasp of yourself and your way of contributing effectively in the classroom.
Regards, Barry
I need to know my limitations , where I need improvement , and the proper method to make the improvements. I cannot be a better educator if I cannot overcome my limitations. I try and sit in on other teacher's courses as much as possible to help me in that quest. I also employ four different methods at any time to change the pace and take me out of my comfort zone. Only then can I COMMAND a class , and feel that I am actually leading them.
The process never ends.
Hi Robert:
Exactly! By giving time to the question "how effective am I being here"? - give us the chance to gain insight on what would best serve the students needs.
Regards, Barry
Hi William:
To add to your comment, something we can also do is work on improving BOTh our weaknesses and strengths to become more effective teaching coaches.
Regards, Barry
Hi Micael:
I would much rather have a true, honest and sincere version of a teacher than an artificial facade of someone else. We all have personalities that have good (and less than wonderful) traits, and it seems to me to build on working to the strengths an individual naturally posseses will ultimately produce the beetre teacher. We expect to grow as teachers (we can't grow someone else).
I do think peer review, positive input from others, evaluationss, etc. help frame our delivery style and performance. I think our uniquenesses make for more interesting and effective instructors.
Regards, Barry
It seems to me that if you do not have an honest view of yourself, you can very well spend all or most of your time trying to be someone else. It is fine to have a mentor after whom you pattern yourself, but you must maintain your own identity. The effort of always trying to do things the way someone else does them can be both exhausting and fruitless.
This realization did not come easily to me. I had a teacher in college who I greatly admired and tried to pattern myself after him. I finally came to my senses and incorporated some of his traits into my own presentations, but I also gave myself a chance to be me. So far it has worked pretty well, but I have a long ways to go.
Hi Jesse:
Good points you made. I think personality is so varied, but almost all types can be effective in the classroom. The key is to be honest and sincere, well prepared and organized, listen with care, concern, and bewilling to offer advice and encouragement.
Regards, Barry
It is important to understand yourself to know what your strong points and weaknesses are and use them to your advantage when instructing the class.
Understanding yourself, knowing your personality traits, your strengths and weaknesses allows you to make better decisions about your instructional styles. Not everyone can instruct in the same style but if your style fits you it can make you a more effective teacher.
Hi William:
I think being willing to change is more than half of the process. Areas of improvement can always be a work in progress. For me, I've learned to seek excellence, not perfection (a hard lesson for me).
Regards, Barry
I agree totally. Positive Self image is vital as an instructor and in life. I see the importance of understanding the dymanics of building and manitaining confidence in ourselves as well as our students .
