MWSU DISPOSITION SELF-AWARENESS VIRGINIA PERKINS Accurate self-assessment As a beginning teacher, I am aware that I have much room to grow

ow and much to learn from experience. This fact is a motivator to seek out constructive criticism from other educators and even students, so that I may discover my various strengths and weaknesses that are less apparent to me than it is for an observer. I am of course also able to identify many of my own strengths and weaknesses and reflect upon them. In my junior experience course, I usually meet with my cooperating teacher or supervisor frequently, either formally or informally, to discuss lessons and management. I am always sure to discuss my presentation skills after a lesson. Sometimes Ill notice that I did something very well and ask for confirmation on the matter. For example, I once found a way to split up students to study for a test that made it possible to conference with them individually about their concerns for the test, seeing to their individual needs. My cooperating teacher and my supervisor were impressed that I was able to find a way to make that work in which all students benefitted. One of my strengths is broad planning, and this is one of those instances in which it manifested itself. In this same lesson, I did run into a problem with timing, which is one of my weaknesses. It was a shortened class period to begin with, and if my cooperating teacher hadnt worked one-on-one with a couple of students, they may not have all been met with. One aspect of self-assessment, arguably the most important, is that once a reflection is made, plans are then made to play strengths and strengthen weaknesses for future instruction. Often in my lesson plans, I will take note of how I am addressing a strength or a weakness within the plan itself. I will put myself in situations that force me to exercise my weaknesses. I happen to have a voice that does not naturally boom, and thoughtful effort must go into maintaining a

constant, effective volume. It just so happens that my junior experience class is full of (productively) talkative students, and by having this particular class, Ive naturally had to exercise my volume. This is not the result of my planning or reflection, but my ability to recognize this problem shows that I have made an accurate self-assessment. My ability to thoughtfully reflect on my teaching dispositions is in of itself a manifestation of my ability of accurate self-assessment. I have shown specific examples of instances when Ive accurately assessment myself, and I have shown that I am able to use that assessment to improve my teaching. Thus, I am a self-aware educator who will continue to improve my less developed abilities and use the strengths that I have so that I may be an effective teacher.