I'm curious what most teachers are... I'm doing some self discovery..I'm a true introvert and I'm finding that teaching is very draining to me. This is one thing I did not think about before going into this field. I LOVE my job and working with the kids, but I'm am so drained at the end of the day I can hardly function. I'm only in my second year of teaching and I'm wondering if I should consider another area within education.. If your an introvert, does your job drain your energy? How do you cope?
I am an introvert. TG, I have heard that too. Why do you think that is??? It doesn't drain my energy like it used to. I would assume that is because I've been teaching for 17 years. I suspect with you, it will become less draining the longer you teach. When I get home from work I do need to come home and just go to my room and be alone for awhile. I usually spend time on the computer or reading. The most difficult part of it for me is talking to parents. I am great with a classroom full of little ones, but I still find talking to adults the most difficult part of my job. I have never enjoyed getting up and talking in front of adults.
I am pretty much an extrovert - however, when I am in a relatively new situation, especially with the opposite gender, then I turn quiet. Not shy, but quiet.
I am a born introvert and a converted extrovert. I do have to force myself to be social at most times, but in most situations I am my energetic and enthusiastic self.
Introvert. I agree w/ kinderkids--I'm fine with the kids (even leading assemblies for the whole school), but throw me in front of some parents, and I'm very uncomfortable. I also would guess that it will be less draining as you get more confortable and experienced--I've noticed a difference, and it's only my third year. I think that probably has more to do with the nature of the job than someone's personality, though.
I am autistic (quite literally, even got the papers to prove it); of course I'm an introvert. But teaching--watching little kids learn and helping them learn how to learn--is the most fascinating thing I've ever encountered. I worked for more than a year as a SpEd para-educator before starting school to be a teacher. I had to be sure I could do it. The most energy-draining part now is dealing with professors and classmates, just as it will later be dealing with admin and parents.
Introvert by nature, but always find myself in a situation where I'm pushed to be somewhat of an extrovert. I agree with Mrs. A about being drained at the end of the day. Sometimes I have to just sleep it all off for a few hours !
I posted a similar question awhile ago (maybe 2-3 years ago?). I too am an introvert, and just got my degree. I definitely anticipate dealing with parents and coworkers as the biggest stressor. I have seen in the conferences with my kids' teachers how important it is to be at ease and confident with dealing with parents. But, I am going to go ahead and try to stretch myself in this area. Trial by fire, as they say! Edited to say: Wow, I just checked and saw that I have only been a member here for a year! It seems like I've been here forever-- what a great resource for teachers!
I think I compartmentalise my time. In school I am very much an extrovert. I will do all manner of silly things in front of a class to demonstrate a point, tell jokes etc. However in some social situations I am the opposite. At parties I would never get up and dance for instance.
Note that there's such a thing as an extroverted introvert: this is, if you will, someone who can be "on" in a social situation but is drained rather than energized by it. (The true extrovert is drained by being alone and energized by being in company.)
I'm definitely an extrovert, but most of the teachers in my school seem to be introverts, especially around other adults. I am also drained at the end of the day, but I think it is because I talk too much....
I grew up as an introvert, but have graduallly changed to an extrovert. Mr. A, it's your second year. It's entirely possible that some of that exhaustion is a function of still getting to know how to best approach your job. As we figure out what kind of a teacher we are, we pick up shortcuts and routines that make it so much more manageable. Give yourself more time to find those that work well for you.
I'm an introvert unless you put me in front of a group of people, then I turn into an Ellen Degeneres, dance and all. But, when lunch hits and I am put into a social situation with other teachers, I'm an introvert. I've been accused of being a snob, I've been assumed sick ... all because I don't say a lot. I use lunch to turn off the brain for a few minutes. Funny, now that I eat with a group of mainly male teachers, I haven't felt the "what's wrong with her? why isn't she socializing?" pressure I can feel with the group of female teachers. I talk about the same amount in both groups. Interesting, huh? I'm in year 5 and teaching is still exhausting. For me, it is the brain drain of being 100% tuned into everything possible for 8 hours a day. There is not a drop of down time (except for lunch).
Introvert, although most wouldn't guess. I'm not afraid to give presentations at staff meetings, and would like to plan and deliver workshops someday. Ask me to sit and make small talk, however, and I just can't.
I grew up as an introvert , too. When I was 17 (approx.) the change arrived. I feel better this way and I´m more self confident, as well!
Yes, I am. Yes, it does. I'm being torn apart, drawn and quartered. Every once in a while, something happens, a break through, a student performs in ways unexpected and I get a lift from it. That lasts for a while. Then it's back to wondering how I'm going to make it through the year until the next spike of hope. But that's only part of the picture. I find teaching to be some of the easiest work I've ever done. The other stuff that goes along with is the tough part and everyone's life wraps around that.
I'm definitely an introvert with adult people-but with the kids I have no problem being extroverted! Guess I'm just a kid at heart!
Definitely an extrovert, and I never thought about it being exhausting but I suppose it is. I've been blessed with a high level of energy though.
Introvert for sure. The kids make me tired, but it's really my co-workers that put me over the edge. I am also an independent worker, so I think this is why teaching appeals to me. I like the idea of designing my own lesson plans and learning environment without much input from anyone else. I believe in teamwork, but I'm not necessarily the best with other people. I'd rather be held accountable for my own work than someone else's.
Introvert. Kids are easier than the adults, always. I'm also not a morning person, but that'a another issue, hehe.
I'm an extrovert and always wonder how introverts do it... I have no problem singing & dancing in front of my kids or their parents... or our faculty. In spite of that, I definitely need some chill time at the end of the day. Seems like our staff is split down the middle... some of us are pretty outgoing and social, but there are lots of people who barely interact with other adults.
Introvert. I am extremely socially awkward. I ran into my neigbors at Wal-Mart earlier in the week and didn't know what to say, but as I was blabbering something, I analyzed what I was saying, how I was standing...everything. Lord, I'd hate to see a replay of that. I'm sure my performance was horrendous. I want to go to work and just come home. Rinse and repeat.
I'm definitely an introvert...have been my whole life. Being an only child & never having had a lot of friends has definitely had a strong impact on me. Now while some people who were never around many people may one day "bust out" & get a little wild because they want a change, I don't feel that way. I could care less about it. With the type of teaching I do currently, I'm pretty isolated from other staff members. I don't have to attend staff meetings, do yard duty, have lunch in the lounge, or other things that involve working closely w/ coworkers...not yet anyway. I don't really feel drained after a day of teaching. I assume I feel like most others when another day is over & done & that is that it will feel good to be on my own time again whether it be relaxing at home or out in public doing my own thing.
I had always thought of myself as an extrovert growing up. Since I began teaching, I am more introverted; I think it's the strain of being "on" all day. I have no energy to interact with anyone else on a social level. By Friday, I can't wait to hide for the weekend. It's family-only for me all weekend long.
I was a huge extrovert until about 2 years ago (after I got married). Now I'm exactly like the quote above: I self-analyze when I'm talking to someone and it completely throws me off my game. I was an extrovert when I decided to teach, and have slowly transitioned into the socially-awkward introvert I am now. It will be interesting to see how things shake out once I become a teacher (this August).
I'm definitely an introvert. I was interested to find, though, that when we were discussing these two personality types in my class, my students were surprised to hear this! Like many of you, I can be "on" when I am in front of a whole class, joking and even being a little dramatic, but I feel totally awkard in one-on-one conversations of most types-- with students, staff, parents, ect. I do find being "on" all day draining. I recently moved into my own apartment without a roommate, though, and it has been wonderful to come home and not have to be social there, as well! Even though I have loved all of my roommates, I sometimes dreaded having to come home and be social some more. Not sure how that will work out if I eventually have a family...
Impulsively, I'd say extrovert. But I would rather come home after work than go out-laziness or do I like being by myself? And last night we went to dh's work function at a bar, and I think I said 5 words. Shyness or lack of interest in the people? I'm forcing myself to meet with people for coffee just to get out of the house-not painful, but I def have to work at the conversation-I think this is normal when you're meeting new people, but maybe it is just me? I'm dying a bit each day just being myself for 10 hours at a time, but when I have groups of people over, sometimes I can't wait for them to leave. So I have no idea. When it comes to coworkers, I have no problem socializing. Same with parents and students.
Probably more of an introvert, although outwardly it may not seem like that. I do have a particular need for self-expression. I like doing public speaking (have been a Toastmaster for several years and achieved their advanced levels). I was active in marching band, and during my business career, loved to sing karaoke. However, I generally am a very private person when it comes to sharing my thoughts with others - I can talk about current events, politics, food, culture, travel, etc., but when it comes to myself, I'm pretty reticent. I also don't mind doing things on my own as well.
I am introverted. If given a choice, I'll keep to myself in most situations and be very comfortable with that. When I first started teaching, I found that having to be "on" in front of people all day was draining. However, as the years have gone by, it's easier. Now it's not even something I really think about. I'm "on" at work, and I'm "off" at home. I can be social, and I actually enjoy it sometimes . . . but I'm equally happy keeping to myself.
