Running head: TELLING YOUR STORY 1

Telling Your Story

Kelsi Weakley

University of Memphis: HIAD 7541

Fall 2017
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Abstract

The word teacher encompasses a wide range of individuals often not fitting the traditional

definition of the word. A successful teacher is one who knows their true self and displays their

authenticity in the way they educate others. This is accomplished in many settings through many

different techniques and influences students in more ways than just academically. Being able to

embrace one’s true self and apply their values into their instruction, is what develops a teacher

into one who is successful. As an educator I have had several opportunities, both traditional and

nontraditional which allowed me to educate others on subjects that I am passionate about. Using

different platforms to educate others is what allows teachers to use their experiences to better

their students academically and in their personal lives.

Keywords: true self, teacher, educator, authentic self

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Telling your story

Teachers are unique individuals who we often reflect on as the ones who taught us the

basics like reading or writing, or maybe more advanced ideas like abstract philosophical

concepts or a trade that we use to earn a living. Often forgotten are the ones who taught us

important life lessons or whose experiences taught us what not to do without having to go

through it ourselves. Teachers are everywhere in both the traditional and nontraditional sense of

the word and understanding who they are and the keys to their success is a powerful concept.

The definition of a teacher varies widely often dependent on the context in which a

person is being described as a teacher. A teacher as defined by Merriam-Webster (2017) is one

that teaches; specifically, one whose occupation is to instruct. This may be the most common

definition we think of when asked to describe a teacher, one whose job is to teach however I

believe that definition barely scratches the surface of what a teacher truly is. Many seek

education as a profession and are then certifiably labeled as teachers yet there are many

individuals who fit into this category despite seeking a profession that titles them as this. What

makes a teacher successful is not necessarily the level of education received or experience, but

rather their ability to recognize their own identity and operate as the most authentic version of

themselves. In The Courage to Teach, Palmer (2017) touches on this characteristic and adds that

“good teachers share one trait: a strong sense of personal identity infuses their work” (p. 11).

While it is easy to assume one’s true self alludes to one’s character and integrity, it also goes

beyond that to be conscious of our weaknesses, limitations, as well as our potential and how we

use these components to develop ourselves into a better person (Palmer, 2017, p. 13). A teacher

isn’t just a job title that one dawns during school hours. This title goes beyond the job
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requirements to obtain a paycheck and is a calling seen on display outside the classroom as well.

Maintaining the heart and passion to teach, in whatever aspect of life, is how a teacher stays

authentic and is able to project his or her true self into their craft. When asked ‘What is a

teacher?’, HUFFPOST lists several nontraditional scenarios as to what describes a teacher in

situations outside of the classroom demonstrating the qualities that define a teacher are ones that

go outside the call of duty and care about the student emotionally, physically, spiritually and

educationally (Walizer, 2014).

As an educator, I believe it is an important concept and value to understand that the title

of “teacher” actually encompasses more roles than just that. A teacher is often a confidant for

students regarding their educational challenges as well as their personal struggles involving their

pathway to their true self. As educators, we get to influence students educational careers and

their personal lives whether we realize it or not (“The Roles of a Teacher”, 2016). Teachers are

with students during pivotal life moments and often teach more than just academics (“Teachers

as Role Models”, 2017). In order to be one’s most authentic self as a teacher, it is important to

take care of yourself as a human first. Many teachers try to fit the mold of their idea of a “good

teacher” when the best teachers are those who embrace their unique characteristics and what

value that adds to the learning experience. Experience is one of the greatest teachers and no

matter how much or how in depth our experiences are, teachers can use this to connect with their

students and inspire them to embrace their experiences and apply them to their lives (Watson,

2015).

I have had limited experience as a teacher inside the classroom, however I have had

unique opportunities to serve as a teacher for the nontraditional student in real life situations.

Professionally I work in the healthcare field where I interact with students of all types and from
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all backgrounds. I am viewed as a teacher to my patients, colleagues, physicians, residents, and

students from various sonography programs. This platform allows me to educate others about my

profession, how it benefits the patient, and how to accurately perform the exams we do to ensure

the best patient care. Often people come through our department with preconceived notions

about what I do and what it entails. Some of the most rewarding experiences have been when

I’m able to clarify those preconceived notions and show just how important sonographers are to

the world of healthcare. This interaction allows me to display my education and share my

experiences with students who I may have never crossed paths with in a classroom setting. This

interaction is described as learning-focused more concerned with changing students

understanding of a concept (Light, Cox, & Calkins, 2009). As an adjunct professor, I am able to

interact with students in a more formal setting and instruct them on a topic that I am passionate

about and that I have experience in. What makes this experience unique is that I am an alum of

this program and I can relate to the students’ experiences within the program and what they are

going through. Despite what I lack in years of experience as an educator, I am still able to

connect with students by utilizing my experiences as a student to relate to them and mold my

teaching style into one I find applicable to the material (Rice, 2010). This fits the Transmission

concept of teaching as discussed by Light, Cox and Calkins (2009, p. 29). The teacher-focused

concept allows the teacher to serve as an expert on a topic and transmit the information to a

receptive audience. Both experiences coupled up allow me to experience teaching in different

ways developing me into a more well rounded instructor. I believe I am able to understand my

role as an educator past the boundaries laid out in a job description and I strive to display my

authentic self in every opportunity I have to teach. Perhaps one of the most important values to

as an educator is to maintain the idea that we are all teachers in some way and we are all students
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as well. Utilizing students feedback, making observations, and reflecting on ourselves as

instructors are all lessons learned when teachers become the students and utilize this invaluable

information (Block, 2015). Teaching can be a daunting task filled with uncertainty and

uncontrolled variables that can shape the path of one’s course from term to term. Knowing one’s

self and embracing the unknown of teaching is what sets great teachers apart from good ones.

Brookfield (2015) touches on the challenges experienced by teachers and the dilemma of how to

fight the right balance between supporting students and when to challenge them to encourage

growth (p. 3). My first semester teaching I found this struggle obvious not knowing if I was

providing enough resources to support students while wanting to provide coursework that

challenged them and allowed them to grow in their skills. By maintaining an open relationship

with students, I could utilize their feedback and experience to help mold the course into one that

maintain a healthy balance between the two. As teachers, it is important to remain firm in our

true self while not being stubborn against the fluidness teaching requires in order to adapt to the

students’’ needs. (Brookfield, 2015, p.11)

Teaching is a privilege and teachers are a gift as not everyone has the passion for

instructing others. The word teacher however expands way beyond the classroom and does not

only encompass those who received a formal education to obtain the vocational title of teacher.

Some of the most influential teachers are those who are nontraditional in form. Success as an

educator comes when we maintain our identity as a person and apply those values and

authenticate ourselves in the way we teach.

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References

Block, J. (2015). Learning from Students. Edutopia. Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/learning-from-students-joshua-block

Brookfield, S. D. (2015). Experiencing Teaching. In The skillful teacher: On technique, trust,

and responsiveness in the classroom (3rd ed.). (pp. 1-16). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

Light, G., Cox, R., & Calkins, S. (2009). The Reflective Professional in Academic Practive. In

Learning and teaching in higher education: The reflective professional (2nd ed.). (pp. 21-

44). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.

Palmer, P. J. (2007). The Heart of a Teacher Identity and Integrity in Teaching. In The Courage

to Teach. (10th ed.). (pp. 9-34). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Rice, J.K. (2010). The Impact of Teacher Experience Examining the Evidence in Policy

Implications. Retrieved from

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/33321/1001455-The-Impact-of-

Teacher-Experience.PDF

Teacher. (n.d). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teacher

Teachers as Role Models. Teach Make a Difference. (2017). Retrieved from

https://teach.com/what/teachers-change-lives/teachers-are-role-models/

The Roles of a Teacher Outside the Classroom. (2016). Retrieved from

http://education.gov.gy/web/index.php/teachers/tips-for-teaching/item/2449-the-roles-of-

a-teacher-outside-the-classroom

Walizer, N. (2014, Aug 31). What is a teacher?. [Blog post]. Retrieved from

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natasha-walizer/what-is-a-teacher_b_5545882.html
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Watson, A. (2015). Share your authentic self to bring passion and energy to your teaching. [Blog

post]. Retrieved from

https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/share-your-authentic-self/