How would I describe my authentic teaching self? Rough. Over compensating. Ok. I’m not real sure at this point. While I have had the honor of teaching people one-on-one, or giving presentations to my classmates, and a few experiences training/teaching new hires at former jobs, I have not had the full experience of teaching a class on my own.
I would love to say, my ideal would be transparent, inspirational, fully present, and encouraging. Transparent enough that my students would understand that there is no way I can be the end-all, know-everything, expert but experienced enough that they can take what I have to offer from that knowledge and understanding. Inspirational that would create thoughts beyond just the requirements of the class and stir a desire to find out more on their own. Fully present, that I can be enough in the room to know what is going on without being said. To be sensitive to the needs of the class and meet them where they are in that moment…be it to discuss what is on the syllabus or what may be happening in the world which could be overriding anything we could cover in class. Finally, encouraging. I would hope that as a teacher I would be supportive and a champion in helping them gain strides in their learning. To be able to have a marked difference from class day one to ending class day.
However, I started out with the words: rough, over-compensating, and ok. I use these adjectives because it is true to how I am currently. Rough because I do not have the experiences in formal teaching to have polished these skills. Over-compensating because I have a tendency to prepare, research, prepare, and repeat that cycle a bit more until I feel prepared to know the material. Usually that is to my detriment, as I learn too much and have difficulties in getting material down to the level where the students are because it all seems important and necessary to me. Lastly, I say ok. Ok, as I have done some things before and have been told I was quite good. That I have a way of explaining things to others without making them feel that my way is the only way and breaking things down into easier to understand ways.
After reviewing some of the materials on finding my teaching voice, I find that being authentic, fully present, and transparent, seem to be a common thread. Honestly, I believe that moving forward, if I give myself enough compassion with my beginner level, I have the potential to be a good teacher. Then I can continue to hone that until I become a great teacher. I know it will not happen overnight, or after one teaching experience, or one class semester. Some liken teaching to acting, with similarities being with preparation, and performance. I think I can relate to that in many ways.
So, in keeping with that theme, and following the lead from one of my favorite Broadway musicals Defying Gravity from Wicked:
Too late for second guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts.
Close my eyes and leap!
It’s time to try defying gravity.
Let’s see if I can indeed defy gravity and become a great teacher!
drkareblog 
Thanks for the post. I would love to see this broadway musical some day. 🙂 I agree that ideally we all have a picture of what we think we should look like while we teach, but it might be a long journey to become that picture. I am thinking maybe we can have our friends auditing and videotaping one of our lectures, so we could learn about the distance between our real teaching style and the ideal style. We used this method a lot in dancing: we think we are being cool but sometimes we might just be silly.
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It is an awesome show! In my program, we do get the opportunity to have our lectures video recorded and present them to our supervision class. I think this will indeed be helpful. Also it is great to know that it can be applied in other platforms as well. Yay to dancers, I used to dance too, once upon a time. 🙂
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It takes some time and some self-confidence. But understanding that you have room to grow is one of the most important factors in finding an authentic teaching voice and method.
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Thanks for your comment! Yes knowing there is always room for growth can help us remain flexible. I had a manager a long time ago who said that no matter how good you do your job, there is always room for improvement.
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Karen your thoughts are always a pleasure to read. I love the quote you used, it makes perfect sense. I know that the first year I ever taught a class I used to have butterflies in my stomach every time as I walked into the room. I do have to say that the environment you create with your students will be unique to you. They will collaborate in creating that environment. It is a two way street. I find that picking up their cues and modifying whatever I had planned for the day helps in students being inspired to learn and motivated to try. You will be great!…I have no doubts.
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Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement. Good way for me to think of it is that I only have half the responsibility going in and the student help shape things with the other half. I think I get more stuck in my head about what I’m teaching, but we shall see soon enough.
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What Jyotsana said! I still get butterflies and I’ve been doing this for a LONG time. And yes, the classroom is a collaborative endeavor. Yours will definitely defy gravity!
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Great post and I truly appreciate the Wicked reference! I’m in much the same situation as you in my being “rough” and “over-compensating,” as you put it. I have to think that after you and I get some experience under our belt, the calm will set in and our real personality will be able to shine through. One thing that helped me gain a little confidence recently: talking with the undergraduate student I’m currently mentoring about my blog post, she reminded me that the most important thing is that we show our students that we care about their success. With taking this class and just thinking about how we can be the best teachers we can be, I think we’re already on our way to being good professors and we’ll soon be prepared to take that leap!
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Thanks for the awesome post. I totally can relate to what you’re saying so much. It is truly going to take some adjustment to figure out how to teach… Because it will be a first time try. However, I think once we figure it out it will go awesome… Because we have what it takes to make a good teacher… Passion!
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Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful post. I also love the Wicked quote, I got to see the musical which was fantastic. You made such great points and I can relate to many of them! I think teaching is definitely a journey where comfort level and all pieces of the puzzle fall into place eventually,
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