isfp teachers
Thank you for posting this thread. I am about to embark teaching high school math. Although as you know, life can be very hard for the ISFP. I remember hearing a principal say recently at a conference to a number of new teachers that "You are becoming a teacher because you love people." I thought about it and said to myself. I am embarking on this journey because I love math, it is easy for me, and I've had success helping others learn by tutoring. I know especially young ladies turn off from math during these years and it is the great equalizer of the sexes that if I can teach success in math, I can teach success in life.
All day in a room full of people discussing social topics and all the research and training for teachers, although I see it is very necessary, is very draining. Anxiety about the future is very stressful (i.e., will they toss the lesson plans I've work hard on creating?). I read about just one another thing that I should be aware as a new teacher and it takes the wind right out of my sails. It takes away my freedom and free-spiritness. I don't deny methods and procedures but I am a learn by failing type of guy and I need to smell it, taste it, feel it, before I say, oh, that didn't work, that is what they are talking about, then see how to adapt and adjust. Other teachers are not me and I not them. I want to drop to my knees and ask Christ, you said "Love is the answer". Why isn't love enough in the classroom? I will find that answer out this year.
I see that for kids these days because not all adults portray exempelary(sp?) behavior that one must earn respect as opposed to be just granted respect autonmatically as I was taught by my parents because one is older than oneself.
As with the other person that commented, I am re-energized when I work on my lesson plans alone, design them, and "savor" them as I introspect of how I will present them to the kids. I am very dynamic and non-traditional teacher not afraid to stand up on the desk or teach from the floor in an attempt to keep the kids' interested (ala Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society). The other reason I am doing this is because I love God and need to show him that I love him. I am driven to service of Him and mankind and what better way than to use my talents as a smart math guy and bring out the kids talents and confidence and love by my actions. Although an introvert, I need the nurturing, warm smiles, and laughter from my students. As with the other person I too work well with kids that are motivated and want to be there. I have taught college with a lot of success there with the attitude that "look there's the door, I am not stopping you if you don't want to be here." I know that won't work in the lower college and besides, college is a sterile environment, I need the warmth and nurturing that a pre-collegiate classroom will provide.
I know one interviewer said it sounds like I would be good at a curriculum designer and I paused as said Hmmm but then commented that I wanted a couple years under my belt as a teacher before I started telling other teachers what would be good to bring into their classroom. Plus again, I need the warm, family-oriented, close-niche environment.
I have a great opportunity this fall at a school that is precisely just that. Hopefully when I implement the training I have been receiving even though new for me and preoccupied with all the other stuff that I did not implement due to time and energy, I will turn around to see the kids all busy, quiet, and working. Inside I will celebrate with a little YES! And to someday have a student greet me at the store years down the road and say I made an impact on their lives will mean all the world for me and cause me to shed a tear and give thanks to God and to the student.
It is a noble venture to be a teacher. All the best and Godspeed!
