Personality...
I thought it was a very interesting question in my interview process when my would be boss asked me "How to you think the students are going to react to your dry sense of humor?"
At the time I remember thinking "Who the hell cares what they think?"
Well, I learned pretty quickly that while "staying true to yourself" seems to be the motto that everyone wants to put on a shirt - Sometimes you need to adjust that.
When your personality has the potential to be prohibitive to the learning experience, you need to consider how to change it.
Traneika,
Friendly and approachable are like the seasoning in a meal. Although the content may be there, if students feel uncomfortable, that creates "a bad taste". I think being natural and sincere is one way to begin to open up. Students appreciate honesty and humility, and will respond in kind. Once that begins, invisible "walls of separation" begin to drop, and a more open environment is created.
Barry Westling
Personality is vital when it comes to teaching. I remember some teachers in my past that were great at lecturing/demonstration, great expertise in the subject matter, BUT were not approachable. Always appeared to be overwhelmed and grouchy?! This makes for a difficult learning environment. A student may not understand the subject being taught, and may possibly be too embarassed to show/say in class, so pulling the teacher aside or emailing for extra help would suffice. But if the teacher seems to hard-nosed, the student may be forced to drop. That would look bad on the instructor as well as the school.
Talita,
Each personlity is a bit unique. Being willing to help our student via the vessel we are contained within will be accepted as long as we keep the students interests in mind. Be there for them, convey we care. Listen. Even when we're very busy, take time and be approachable and kind relating to students. These are traits every teacher potentially can demonstrate, and has more to do with perspective than skill.
Barry Westling
Remember everyone has personality. How you assist your student to modify to fit any work sitiuation or life situation.
Steve,
Yes, and like in a business, the teacher is also the representation of the school to the student, from the administration on down. So, although we all have a unique personality, there are some traits we can all exhibit, including being prepared and organized, approachable, good sense of humor, willing to listen to students, and demonstrating we care about the students learning.
Barry Westling
I believe that your personality is the doorway that allow the teaching connectiion between teacher and student to connnect.
Ian,
Great. A willingness to be open to change in order to be effective as a teacher is a great trait in itself!
Barry Westling
