Personal Learning Style

According to the VARK test I am a multimodial learner (visual and kinesthetic). I believe this is very true based on my personal reflections of how I enjoy learning. I believe this due to the fact when I am stuck on an exam or test, I will use my pencil to draw out in the air what I am thinking of when I can’t quite write it out. I know I am not auditory due to the fact I have had a show playing in the background while writing this but I have been able to effectively mute out the entire thing and not remember anything that is going on. These traits impact the way I teach and I have to be aware of my personal bias towards auditory learning and be sure to still include it when choosing method of instructional delivery. According to the MBTI test I am ESFJ. Which I can too believe though each category was very close to the 50% mark. It depends on my day to which way I go, as well as what I am doing. I believe being so flexible in these traits impacts my teaching positively allowing me to easily adapt to different situations and relate to students on a more personal level. I can relate to those students who are introverts because I grew up being a selective mute, as well I can relate to the extroverts as some days I will talk your ear off. This also allows me to feel comfortable trying new things and differentiating instruction, giving students a greater opportunity to learn in a way that best suits them. The students I may miss are those with exceptionalities that defer learning. This is due to my judging personality, though it was close, I believe myself that I judge more than I perceive. I often find myself having to stop and think “what if I were in their shoes.” This allows me to be more present in the situation and to be sure I am adequately including them in the instruction.

According to the TPI I am most strongly a nurturing and developmental teacher. As an elementary teacher I strongly believe this. Building a strong relationship with each student before I begin explicit teaching is important to me. I want each student to feel welcome in the class because if they don’t they are less likely to learn, or worse, attend class. My other strongest attribute is action, which I too believe.

“If they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn” -Dr. O. Ivar. Lovaas