Can personality define a teacher?

Dear Tom,

I enjoyed the classroom circle organized by Ed.  I understood this activity to be a warm-up and not necessarily a procedure, but an interesting activity nonetheless. What I found most appealing about this activity was the facilitator.  I imagined that such an activity practiced by another individual may not have been as successful. The balance between a facilitator and implementation of a method is  a common theme that occurs to me when discussing pedagogy.

I often think that the rapport a teacher develops with their students underlies much of the success of an activity. So much of our time with teachers is dedicated to developing programs, measureable outcomes, assessment and the many other variables involved in being a good teacher. However, despite many efforts made by some teachers to incorporate these approaches, the success often necessitates strong interpersonal communication and compassion.

As an adult educator, the rapport established in the classroom determines so many of the positive influences to learning.  As an instructor establishes the norms and sets certain expectations, what often follows is  contingent on how teachers communicate with  their students. Much of these ideas are echoed by Brookfield.  Repeatedly Brookfield shares his experience with particular underlying tones related to appreciation for the  fears and terrors of new learning; notions of credibility and authenticity; and the emotional relationship between teaching and learning.  It had never occurred to me that upon entering the field of teaching it would entail so many levels of human relations and skills.

Brookfield’s Cultural Suicide

As I read the concept of cultural suicide, I could not help relate this notion to the pressures of technology and its pervasiveness in the classrooms. I often sort conflicting feelings I have regarding the use of technology and the assumption that since it is so pervasive, it is required that we incorporate it into our classes.  I make daily attempts to use the smartboard to facilitate an activity, when in fact, traditional approaches would work possibly as well. The feeling of alienation from colleagues due to either  traditional or modern methods could be a form of cultural suicide.  The suggestions outlined to avoid cultural suicide are interesting strategies of roleplay and interactions.