Are you a teacher, instructor or professor?  Do you teach preschool, elementary or high school?  Perhaps your students are in a trade school, college or university program.  Whatever type of classroom you have, your students are made up of different personality types.  As educators, it is vitally important that teaching methods match the personality type and learning style of each student.  That is not as easy as it may seem.

Personality type assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI^®), True Colors^® and DiSC, are tools that help individuals understand their unique behaviors and preferences related to how they react to their environment, take in information and interact with others.  The MBTI consists of 16 different personality types, while True Colors and DiSC are divided into four types.  Regardless of which assessment to which you refer, meeting the needs of each student can be very challenging.  (Enter my  Coaching For Quality site and go to Personality Type Assessments to learn more about how they are used.) 

When students’ personality types do not match the teaching methods presented, they may become frustrated, isolated, stressed and bored.  This may cause anxiety, behavior problems and failure creating a downward spiral for students leading to dropping out, expulsion or even violence.

Do you have students in your classroom who:

• Appear lost, disconnected, bored or inattentive?
• Complain and blame others?
• Act rude or are defiant?
• Are easily bored?
• Daydream excessively?
  
• Exhibit attention-getting misbehavior?
• Act withdrawn?
• Refuse to communicate?
• Have critical or malicious attitudes toward self and others?
• Exhibit anxiety and worry?
• Break rules on purpose?
• Lie or cheat in class?

You are not alone!  These behaviors may be attributed to students who lack self-esteem and whose learning needs are not being met.  Feeling disconnected from their learning environment, they may be displaying inappropriate behaviors out of frustration and conflict.

A classroom filled with equal opportunities for each student to demonstrate their preferred personality type creates an environment rich with learning experiences.  Students will thrive and excel when their individuality and uniqueness is expressed.

Can you identify at least three of these students in your classroom?

• The Player or Performer – enjoys performing arts or sports; likes to be active.
• The Idealist or Peacemaker – the natural moderator; takes care of others and wants everyone to work in harmony.
• The Thinker or Scientist – prefers working alone and away from others; enjoys investigating, analyzing and problem solving.
• The Organizer or Planner – needs structure and routine; likes to plan and stay on schedule.

Understanding diverse populations and utilizing the tools to accommodate all student learning needs can substantially increase student success while reducing at-risk behavior that may lead to failure, withdrawal or expulsion.  Find out how you can meet the needs of all types of students and create a classroom of successful students!  Enter my Coaching For Quality site to learn more.