I’ve done some teaching, and as an introvert, found myself surpisingly well suited to it.
I think a lot of extroverts have to fight their craving for human interaction in the classroom, much as some people might have to exercise self-restraint in a shopping mall or at a car dealership.
Extroverted teachers I think have a greater need for approval from their students, feel an urge to interact with their students on a more personal level.
As an introvert, I think my students sensed I was removed from them. Without the distractions a more extroverted person might deal with, I found myself able to get to the point and stay focused on the task at hand.
The kids sensed that I couldn’t care less what they thought of me. I had an easier time keeping my bearing as an authority figure than a more bubbly person would, and commanded a certain respect because I wasn’t trying for it.
As far as developing warm feelings for students and learning about their personal lives, that came too, but AFTER I became established as the instructor.
Getting my social interaction at work was like a pay bonus for me. It satisfied my needs in full, leaving me free in the evening to do pursue my personal activities.
In short, I would challenge the common wisdom that the best teachers are necessarily bubbly and extroverted individuals.
Or for any public position.
The best preacher I’ve ever known was an introvert. He got in his social time while working and read extensively in his spare time. His wide knowledge made his sermons particularly interesting to listen to. His more methodical introverted manner and ability to listen made him an exceptional personal counselor.
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This has given me hope as I have previously disregarded teaching as a profession due to the seemingly required extraversion.
While introverts are effective at teaching people, the teaching community is still dominated by an extroverted ethos. Not being bright and sunny enough on the job can invite reprisal.
In any community, professional or otherwise, life is going to be difficult if you don’t fit in with the group vibe.
Each profession attracts a certain set of personalities just like a local bar. I wouldn’t surprised if the right sort of community was the biggest predictor of professional success.
I also went through several years of teacher training at university level, thoroughly enjoyed the practical teaching when I actually got out into the classroom, but one of the lecturers, responsible for the psychology of learning subjects, saw himself as the gateway to the students getting through the course. His arrogance was astounding. Most of the women in the class young and old had a fear of him along with any introverts like myself, and his marking of grades in tutorial sessions were heavily weighted upon your vocal contributions in class. As an introvert, and, feeling considerably oppressed by his extreme extroversion, I, and several others did very poorly in his classes.
The end result of this is that the failure rate of his classes was greater than 60%, but as he was one of the heads of the education department at the university, no questions were asked. I was one of those who failed twice, (they had a 2 strikes at that subject and you’re out policy) therefore, I could not become a teacher, and effectively the end of that potential career, and actually a major contributor to the end of my marriage, after 3 years of study. I had done quite well on other subjects, achieving high distinctions in english and politics, coming out with a bachelor of arts in english literature.. largely unemployable at 35 years old. Not finding my place in an Extroverted world.
My advantage in introversion is fulfilling its creative potential
I teach elementary school, and have done so for 25 years. Elementary school teachers are, or at least give the impression of being, almost exclusively extroverts. While I’ve developed cordial relationships with many of my colleagues, I’ve only ever had one person who was a fairly good friend from work.
Now, for the last 10 years and off-and-on before that, I have taught a pullout gifted program rather than regular classroom. I am the only person in my district with my particular job description, which makes my being a bit “odd” kind of expected.