Channeling
Of course, as the material points out so clearly, you are who you are and to be someone else will work as well as wearing a small glove on a big hand; not a good fit. However, you can, as I call it, "channel." And what I mean by that is, like the text material points out, emulate a former teacher of yours that you admired for whatever your reason may be. For example, there are two that come to mind for myself: my third-grade homeroom teacher and my 11th grade social studies teacher. They were both very different personalities, but sometimes I can see myself acting like one or the other when I teach; it seems to work out for me. One of the cons (sometimes, anyway) for me as a recent college graduate, and former non-traditional student, is that I tend to find myself identifying with my students rather than with the other educators at my campus.
Rebecca,
This is a good way to approach how you are going to develop your own instructional style. Look at both the good and the not so good instructors in your past and then select those aspects from which you are going to grow your own style. Then you can become your won channel for instructional success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like the channeling concept. I suppose the flip side would be looking at the teachers in your past that you really didn't enjoy to get good ideas on what not to channel.
Joseph,
I agree with your approach to channeling.
Joseph,
Thank you for your analysis in terms of your emerging instructional style. These are the stages that many instructors go through as they determine how they will provide instruction. You are fortunate to have had two great teachers in your past to guide you forward while observing your colleagues so you can decide what your personna will be in the school and with your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
