Comments on: Introversion: An Advantage In Teaching

By: Lis Schraer

Lis Schraer — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 00:31:08 +0000

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.

By: Sid

Sid — Sat, 07 May 2011 07:07:19 +0000

My advantage in introversion is fulfilling its creative potential

By: Clay Fimm

Clay Fimm — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:10:19 +0000

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.

By: unclegluon

unclegluon — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 07:19:57 +0000

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.

By: Basino

Basino — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 02:40:19 +0000

This has given me hope as I have previously disregarded teaching as a profession due to the seemingly required extraversion.