During the recent weeks of my journey through the PDGE programme at Strathclyde, I have dealt with much criticism of my progress through the programme. I have found many qualified teachers are very welling to criticize my performance, however, they are quite reluctant to provide in constructive information which would help me to progress further.
Well, this week I got what I was looking for. The information was unexpected and I valued it greatly. I have struggled this the development of a teaching persona. I willingly admit that I am nice guy. I stay calm most of the time and it take a lot to get me hot under the collar. That being said, I find developing a dynamic extroverted persona difficult and I also felt that without it I would always struggle in teaching. This is where the advise come in. This advise came in the form of an explanation of what assessors were really looking for from new teachers. I was told that assessors are looking for new teachers to use the personality they and make the most of it, not to develop a fake unnatural persona which hides you true personality.
This advise has given my the boost I was looking for. I like who I am and I hope other teachers learn from this and do the same. Just be yourself.
Mr Fuqua
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you have received the boost you were looking for and I totally agree with this comment. Why should we try to be who we are not.
I have heard a number of people being told that in order to be a good teacher that they need to become an extrovert and teaching is almost like an acting role!
This is a fabulous post!! I think we're probably all in the same boat! I'm glad that you found some advice and are taking it on board :). From personal experience I think you'll find teachers that "like" your style of teaching and appreciate you as a person, for those who don't... stuff them! And don't let anyone make you doubt yourself and abilities!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Though I still struggle to find parts of "myself" which are most suitable when a tutor walks into the classroom ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a difficult topic cos it makes sense from both view points. As teachers not only does what we're teaching need to be interesting and engaging to the pupils but we also need to have interesting and engaging personalities. If we fake it they'll see right through us and we may as well not have bothered. I think perhaps its about having faith in you traits and yes perhaps we all may have to exaggerate ourselves from time to time to get their attention but I think it would be a waste of our energy to pretend to be someone else entirely.
ReplyDeleteThere is a certain amount of performance in teaching but I'd say that was different from "faking it".
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