Do you really know yourself? Your whole self? Do you truly understand why you think and act the way you that do? As a leader self-awareness and self-efficacy are key! This is true for teachers as well. To be able to teach and lead as your whole self is to teach and lead authentically. Self-awareness relates to focusing on how your daily actions, thoughts, and emotions, align with your deeper morals and values. Self-efficacy relates more to your intrinsic and extrinsic motivations as well as your confidence in finding/creating a positive alignment. In other words, do you feel that you are able to succeed despite any minor setbacks that you may face?
Think of all your favorite teachers and their unique traits/behaviors that qualified them as such. Though you may remember each of them in a fond way, there is most likely something specific that sets them each apart from one another. Now think of your least favorite teachers and perhaps the less appealing qualities that they all shared equally. Collectively, both sets of teachers have in some way inspired your own do's and don't when it comes to your style of leadership and classroom management. Their job has been done and now it is time for you to do yours. Will you be the teacher that students always want to remember, or will you be the one that they wish they could forget?
That may seem like loaded question. One that requires much thought and a lot of work to answer. Though there is some truth to that, one of the easiest ways to start developing your answer is to simply reflect on your own personality. This is something that you've been "creating" and "perfecting" from the moment your were born based on every experience you've ever had. To know yourself is one thing, but to know how others may then perceive you, is another. Understanding the traits of your personality that accompany you to work everyday, will allow you to better anticipate not only your thoughts and actions but the opinions and reactions of others as well. This includes both your colleagues and your students.
Put it to the test!
If you've never taken an online personality test before, you may be missing some valuable pieces to the puzzle that is YOU! Whether you're still deciding on a career path or have already landed your "dream job", gaining a better understanding of who you are will allow you to better connect with others.
Did you now that there are 16 types of personalities? Though I'm sure at times we all may feel that we have multiple personalities, we tend to lean towards one specific type in general. I recently took the Humanmetrics Jung Typology Test. This is a brief (free) questionnaire of broad topics and scenarios that pinpoints your most notable personality traits based on Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ personality type theory. I was hesitant at first to take this test. I've always felt rather confident in who I am and the thought of it possibly being "questioned" by a computer did not sit well with me. After having read my results though, I did find a lot of truth within the breakdown of my traits. I'm thankful for the insightful reflection that it prompted me to have.
My personality test resulted in ENFJ (Extroverted 6%, iNtuitive 12%, Feeling 56%, Judging 38%). Though at first glance those terms and the percentages seemed rather subjective, once I read into them more, I was nodding in agreement. The results stated the truth in that I am a global learner who always tries to see the bigger picture, even when juggling many tasks/projects at once (and boy do I juggle!!!!). It also emphasized my empathetic nature and appreciation for people. I do my best to be logical and plan ahead, but in the end I always “go with my gut." As a language teacher whose goal is to help students appreciate the world around them and to be more patient and accepting of others, I am proud of these qualities. Being a "giver" in this way can often lead to feeling drained and no one is able to pour from an empty cup. Therefore I also understand the heightend importance of maintaining positive mental and physical health.
It is not too often that we are asked to simply talk about ourselves without fear of being judged. We so often lack the correct wording so as not to come across the wrong way. Through things such as texting and social media suddenly we begin to lack the tone and natural inflection that conversations need. Face to face interaction has become more challenging because we often portray ourselves one way online through a “highlight reel” and find negative stigma in discussing the less attractive aspects of ourselves that come up in real life. In my opinion though, the more that someone understands the way they operate, the how and the why, the better and more long-lasting connections they will be able to make. So, who am I with these big ideas? What is my story? I’m Christina.
Interests I would say that I am a rather well-rounded person, but I mean it in the humblest way. I find joy in the simple things of life, but also seek adventure through my love for traveling. I’m a big promoter of human connection and global awareness. I am fascinated by learning about other cultures and languages as it allows me to compare traditions of other families around the world, to that of my own. Through comparison comes both knowledge and appreciation. My religion is an important part of my life. I also love listening to music and to dance. I love spending time with family. These are all activities/characteristics that make up all cultures yet create much diversity. Becoming a teacher (more specifically, a Spanish teacher) has been a goal that I’ve had for quite a while as I work well with children and it is a path that allows me to share my love for cultures while also promoting patience, empathy, and acceptance. I’m fortunate to have been in my full-time teaching position for almost three years now.
Personality Though I was rather shy as a child, once I was in school, I became very outgoing and friendly. I love to laugh and think that I have a great sense of humor. Sarcasm and quick wittedness are two traits that have been passed down to me from my mother, and for that I am thankful. I’m always the one that helps to keep things light. Life can be hard and serious, but it’s also short, so we have to make the best of it. I’m the kind of person who is honest and not afraid to speak their mind, yet I do my best to be respectful and never let others feel that what they have to say or how they feel is unheard or invalid. I may be short, but I am loud and have a big personality. I would say that I am kind, generous, authentic, and giving. I’m very self-aware and in touch with my emotions so I constantly try to put myself in the shoes of others and see things from different angles and perspectives. Though I do enjoy my alone time and like to keep my circle small, I am able to walk into a room and make friends with (or at least be civil with) almost anyone.
Leadership As a young educator in general, but more importantly as a foreign language teacher, I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility. Teachers have so many eyes on them at a time and have to make several on-the-spot decisions so often. It is crucial to be setting a good example and act in a way that promotes desired behaviors. What I love about being the youngest person on the faculty in the high school that I teach in, is that students are naturally drawn to me due to the fact that I’m the most relatable. I understand this 21stcentury full of social media and cyber bulling and simply what it’s like to be “young” in this day and age. Yet at the same time, they see that I am successful, responsible, and have a strong work ethic. It’s motivating to them. They see me messing up just as much as they see me doing well, but more importantly they see that I can deal with adversities without feeling hopeless and without “calling it quits.” Teachers are so often told that they have to have an on/off switch for their personal lives/personal baggage when they step into the classroom and that they have to be perfect. Yet to me, showing my human side, sharing (appropriate) personal details with my students, and letting my personality shine through, is what helps the most in gaining their trust and engagement. Building a relationship; whether it be colleague to colleague, employee to boss, or teacher to student, is so key! When people feel supported and understood, they are more likely to give their full attention and full effort.
Communication (Written and Oral) Being bilingual in addition having a more global outlook on life, I would say that I have a fairly easy time when it comes to both written and oral communication. I put my heart, soul, and voice into all that I do. When I speak with someone in person, I draw from both of our experiences and situations to get my message across. When I’m writing, I cater to my audience as well, trying to maintain the personable tone of the message. Regardless, I am honest and truthful and try not so much as to persuade, but rather to inform based on real life, relatable context. Being in the field of education, I work with a range of ages from students, to faculty, to parents. Knowing your audience and how to keep their attention and get your point across effectively, is important. It takes preparation, planning, and practice, but at the same time it cannot come off as if you are reading a script. When communicating in any way, authenticity and being genuine is key.
Emotional Intelligence Friends and family would say that I am an old soul. Due to my varied experiences helping to take care of the elderly in my family and hardships and losses we’ve experienced, combined with my teaching experience and study abroad opportunities, I’ve gone through a lot of things that the average twenty-five-year-old has not yet come into contact with. It’s made me realize that life is not promised and that you have to focus on things and people that matter. On the surface, I’m at a point where I have my “act together.” I have become very self-aware due to experiences that have more or less broken my spirit in the past and humbled me rather quickly at a young age. From mental abuse within toxic friendships to just normal teenaged angsts and insecurities, there has no doubt been some ups and downs. One of my biggest trials was losing my grandmother to Alzheimer’s when I was studying abroad for the first time. Having to grieve while in the home of a “stranger” who did not look or sound like me was such a defining moment of my life. I’m not a person who handles change very well, for as “flexible” as I can be. All that combined, there were days, weeks, months, even years where I felt defeated, hurt, broken, and at times even invisible. I had to work really hard to find myself, and “grow though” whatever I was going through. I essentially learned how to self soothe and really had to come to terms with where to set boundaries so that my heart/body/mind did not feel so drained. There is a difference between being generous and being used, and it was a lesson I learned the hard way. I still have bad days and still feel overwhelmed at times, but I no longer allow those feelings to define my self-worth or make me feel that I have a bad life. I became very self-aware and learned a lot about physical health and mental health and finding balance in my life. The bad days and almost fake life that I had been living is what allowed me to really find myself and what makes me unique. I am now very confident and motivating and still try to be kind always and find the best in people. However, I now know the importance of anticipating how certain situations will make me feel and the importance of taking a step back to breathe and practice self-love. I trust my gut. I hold myself accountable and really take time to reflect on everything I experience, no matter how significant or insignificant it may seem at the time. I use it all, the good and the bad, to help give other people platforms for change and bettering themselves. If they look at me and see that being “down” does not always have to look like someone who is curled up in a ball and depressed, and that those less enjoyable moments are simply part of life, it gives people hope. Teaching in a school as well as working at a woman’s health studio, I get to use my experiences in different ways to give that hope to a variety of age groups. I think emotional intelligence is a gift that unfortunately not everyone will receive and be able to pass on until they themselves have some sort of harsher/larger adversities to face. Being in tune with my emotions, as well as my strengths and weaknesses, is a strength in and of itself. To be a well-rounded leader, we at some point must have had to be a blind follower. From that blind following, we either found ways to be more involved and active or came to the realization that we were not being true to ourselves and found a chance to move on/move out.
Technology Skills Sometimes being the “baby” of the faculty is tought. I work very hard (sometimes to the point where I’m perhaps too much of a perfectionist) because I’m very passionate about my work. Instead of taking time to get to know me and hear my story though, colleagues sometimes are quick to assume that I am naïve and lack experience. Yet, I am the one who is the most recent out of college, the most recent to have been in the same shoes as the students we are all teaching, and the most recent to grow up in an ever-developing modern world of technology. I’m well versed in the basics of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc. However, I’ve also experienced using management systems like CANVAS and PowerSchool as both a student as well as a teacher. I know the latest apps such as Duolingo, Flip Grid, Class Dojo, and have used them also as both student and teacher. As a foreign language teacher, a lot of the skills and competencies I have my students practice are actually going to help them in the long run in other subjects. Reading skills and grammar skills used in a foreign language class ultimately make students more successful in their English courses, sentence structures are set up similar to math equations, through culture they learn world history, and the list goes on. The point is, I understand that giving students more options and avenues from which to attain the knowledge is what will keep them engaged. I do not claim to know everything yet, and still have room to learn, but I feel that I’m on the right track. Everyone learns differently. It’s all about making content relatable and promoting critical thinking. Modern teaching does involve using technology and programs like Quizlet, Kahoot, Gimkit, ShowMe, etc. but at the same time, simple tactics such as having flexible seating and collaborative discussions can create a 21stcentury environment of success just as well. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t fear that one day technology could completely remove teachers from classrooms. A completely virtual world and the lack of face to face interaction would be rather negative in my opinion. It would take back all of the hard work that myself and other educators have put forth with hopes of making students more collaborative and inclusive (in and out of the classroom). There has to be a balance. I am hopeful that by being more vocal of my experiences and thus more relatable, that the field of education will realize that students thrive when they have that personal connection being made in the classroom. Yes, technology is helpful as teachers are now taking on roles of facilitators and letting students own their learning, but teachers are not robots or computers. We have feelings and empathy. Our students need that “TLC” and warmth. Sometimes the safest place that a student has to go to during the day is our classroom. I would hate for that “escape” and low affective filter to disappear just because the flashy idea of using iPads and Chromebooks for virtual instruction is becoming so common in education (though it’s tremendously helpful at graduate levels). I truly feel that it would be a disservice to not only students, but to society. Being a teacher is my calling. Teachers are already so often disrespected and unappreciated. For this career to completely disappear would break my heart. I’m not positive which other careers I would be meant for if not for teaching. I don’t think I would work as well in a completely isolated environment behind a screen. That’s not what humans are meant for. At the end of the day, no matter our stories, the one thing that does make us all alike is that we are all human. Closure So, who is Señorita Christina? She’s a daughter, a sister, a friend. She’s a world traveler and an educator. She’s the one who will laugh with you not at you. She is the one who makes mistakes but understands that is all part of a bigger plan. She’s a lover of life and the human connection.