Thursday, February 24, 2011

Can You Be A Shy Teacher? Or Can a Teacher be Shy?

Vanessa wrote:

I'm 18 and I really want to become a teacher but I'm more on the shy/quiet/reserved side. I was wondering do you think I could be a teacher even though I'm more shy/quiet?



I responded to Vanessa but was curious what do yo guys think?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

As an assistant principal, I would not hire her. In NYC the students would eat her alive. A teacher needs to be confident and exude authority.

Harvey Gonick said...

With all due respect to the anonymous AP, teachers are like the rest of the population. There are all kinds of personalities among teachers. I was and still am a shy person, and when I started out I didn't know if I was cut out to handle a class full of students. But once I established routines and got used to standing in front of 35 pairs of eyes, I started to gain confidence. It became easier and I learned to love it. You can, too. Don't quit on your dream.

Vanessa said...

Thank you so much Harvey for the very encouraging words. I hope over time that I can become less shy as I'm only 18 and still in school and I haven't had much experience yet. I honestly was just curious as to what other teachers opinions were.

Bonnie said...

I'm sorry I was so late to answer this post. I check in every few weeks to see what I've missed.

Anyway, I am also an AP, and I have several shy teachers in the dept. (No, Pheebs, you are NOT one of them.) Shy people tend to be shyer around their own peers,not with students who are years younger than them. So don't worry. Like every new teacher, you'll take a few years to find your style, build your confidence, and before you know it you'll be fine.

Bonnie said...

I'm sorry I was so late to answer this post. I check in every few weeks to see what I've missed.

Anyway, I am also an AP, and I have several shy teachers in the dept. (No, Pheebs, you are NOT one of them.) Shy people tend to be shyer around their own peers,not with students who are years younger than them. So don't worry. Like every new teacher, you'll take a few years to find your style, build your confidence, and before you know it you'll be fine.

Anonymous said...

I am an AP and can't tolerate the prejudice people have against shy teachers...a real teacher has discipline through respect and being followed as a leader...they should have knowledge and a passion to share it. The NYC dolt who said they must "exude confidence and authority" is just feeding the stereotype that teachers are pushy big mouths that couldn't make it as professors.