Teaching Strengths and Weaknesses

StrengthsI believe that teamwork is one of my strengths because according to Kinlaw (1993) "being part of a team is one who unites others toward a shared destiny through sharing information and ideas, empowering others and developing trust." My ability to interact, communicate and cooperate with a group will enable me to be an effective member of a team and work towards a common goal.

I believe that teamwork is important when teaching because it allows all students and teachers to work and cooperate together with the aim of reaching a common objective. DePree (1999, p.11) defines this as "the key elements in the art of working together are how to deal with change, how to deal with conflict, and how to reach our potential...the needs of the team are best met when we meet the needs of individuals persons."It's said that having a clear and expressive voice is a key element that a teacher has to have. I believe that this is one of my strengths because according to Darnley (2005)"Warm and expressive voices, used in an imaginative way, draw pupils in and make them want to pay attention and listen. If such a voice has quality and liveliness, they will be motivated to attend, participate and learn", which is something I feel I have.

Technology is becoming a major part of today's society and therefore teachers have to understand it to be able to teach it. Rodenburg (2006) refers to technology (in particular computers) as a foreign language, stating "if one does not learn a "foreign" language while young, than it will usually not become fluent….. Technology is not only a language to learn; it is someone with whom we must learn to get along, to get to know, and also welcome into our lives". As a computer literature and educated person I'm aware of ever changing technology therefore I will be able to pass on my knowledge of technology to the children of today.

WeaknessesTime Management, according to a survey done in the United States by professor Masters (2001), is a major weakness in most teachers. Of the survey conducted 78% believed that they had bad time management skills. I believe that time is one of my weaknesses because I get caught up in fast past learning, but as a teacher I have to realise that my students are going to be at very different levels of learning and that not all of them will work in the same ways.

I believe that one of my weaknesses lie in my low tolerance for stubbornness and lack of self-confidence. Hancock (2007) claimed "once an educator is aware of their strengths and weaknesses, the best lesson planed is one that is made up 'freely' and when you are confident in making creative choices". With this in mind I must recognize my tendencies to overlook unmotivated and uninspired children, and adjust my lesson accordingly. According to the teacher's federation of NSW (2004) "some students do best to have a rigid game plan and to be presented clearly with what is asked of them to be successful." This is something that I will have to remember as an educator.

Something that may become a problem for me when starting out as a teacher is lack of experience. This is expected as a beginning teacher but it could lead to me having difficulties finding jobs. As quoted by Hancock (2007) "school will always welcome the experienced educator over a fresh new unexperienced one". The teacher's federation of NSW conducted a survey which revealed that only 22% of state high schools have more than 5 teachers under the age of 24 teaching. This leads me to believe that school will take the experienced over the new and unexperienced teachers, which will be one o f my weaknesses when first starting my profession teaching career.