Why is it Important for Teachers to Understand their own Learning Style?

“Most Americans do not know what their strengths are. When you ask them, they look at you with a blank stare, or they respond in terms of subject knowledge, which is the wrong answer.” – Peter Drucker, Business Management Consultant

Educators are not the only people examining styles. According to a Gallup study, 80 percent of people across the globe do not rely on their natural strengths, but focus on their weaknesses. This results in a significant and negative impact on both personal performance and society. Unfortunately, teachers too often spend their lives trying to repair their weaknesses, while neglecting their strengths and often their own learning style.

Defining talents and strengths?

Talents are naturally recurring patterns of thought, feeling, or behavior. Think of someone you know, perhaps yourself, who is a “natural teacher.” While knowledge and skills can be acquired through learning and practice, talent is innate.

Strengths are a combination of our talents, knowledge and skills.

The bottom line

It is important that we understand ourselves, as it also helps us:

• Understand how we will be perceived,

• Learn how best to communicate, and

• Know how best to help others grow, learn and develop.

According to Dr. John Shindler, co-creator of the Paragon Learning Style Inventory, “We need to make an effort to reform the way we think about teaching, beginning with a process of self-reflection. As we learn more about our own tendencies, and how they have limited us in the past, and come to understand the needs of our students, especially those who are different from us, we naturally discover more tools to meet the challenges of teaching.”

Learn More… Take this course: Accommodating All Learners

Discuss Here: How can you enhance your performance as a teachers by focusing on your own learning style?