As a future teacher, what do you see as your main weakness (or weaknesses) and how will you work on improving this (these)?
As a future teacher, I feel I have two main weaknesses. The first is my knowledge of content as an expert concerning physics and some of mathematics. There are definite areas in mathematics and physics where I feel I am an expert. However, there are other areas where I worry that I am not as knowledgeable as I feel I should be. This is very stressful for me. However, the fact that I acknowledge this as a weakness is a step in the right direction. I also feel that I am comparing my knowledge to the knowledge of a college student, not a high school teacher. I talk to a particular professor often to expand and strengthen my knowledge. When I can't answer a question he asks, he often reminds me that he doesn't know everything and he can't answer every question. The thing that matters is that he finds the answer. I need to remember that. Knowledge will come with questioning and working at it. This is one way I will work on improving this weakness. Another way I will improve this weakness is by being a life-time learner and working with other professionals. This is the only way for me to become an expert.
My other weakness will be the tendency to teach the way I was taught. I am grateful for the education I received as a high schooler, but it could have been improved on greatly. I was most often lectured at without much discussion, my classes were somewhat lax, and I rarely got to experience hands-on learning. It was truly unfortunate. I don't want to teach like this. However, I know that teachers often teach the way they were taught. Again, I believe that by being aware of this weakness I am taking a huge step forward. The ways to improve upon this weakness is similar to the weakness above. I need to be aware of the way I am teaching and I need to evaluate myself. I need to collaborate with other teachers to see how they are making their class exciting and fun. I especially need to continue to educate myself. If I follow through with these steps, I believe I can be the best teacher I can be.
Every teacher has weaknesses. The first step is to be aware of weaknesses. Only then can they be approved by furthering education, evaluating yourself, and collaboration.
2 comments:
I feel the most important thing is acknowledging what type of weakness you have and then going from there. It can be very difficult for a person to point out there weaknesses, but you did it in a very clear way. You understand what your weaknesses are and you have a very good idea of how you want to overcome each one. I feel you will definitiely be able to overcome each one with what you stated. Everyone has to remember, there is not one person or teacher out there who doesn't have a flaw or is scared about something. By becoming more knowledgable about certain things will only make us better teachers.
I also think it is great how you realized you don't want to be taught like you were taught. That is something that will get you very far as a teacher if you understand and know how to teach students the most efficient and fun way possible.
I think that it's really brave of you to openly share what you believe are your biggest weaknesses. But as you said, acknowledging the weaknesses are the first steps in fixing them!! As teachers, we will never be perfect. All we can do is be the very best teacher we can be, make constant efforts to continue growing and learning, and give our students 110% every day. Passion and devotion cannot be taught, although they are some of the most important traits to have in this field, and you already have these. You're going to make a great teacher!
Post a Comment