Our students have different personalities and it’s a reality that we work with an assembly of differences each school year. How to work with different personalities in the classroom could mean hard work.
The best applications of adjustment schemes for both teachers and students have a snowball effect on learning. I admit, settling differences and dealing with differences in the classroom is a challenge for us, as managers in the learning environment and facilitators of learning.
Interestingly, each personality in the classroom acts like a chameleon as he or she camouflages to the immediate environment. Absolutely, with the help of the teacher, each personality adapts to the learning environment successfully.
This is how remarkable a teacher is. We are talking about our versatility, so hurray for us all and congratulations!
Photo by Jess Bailey on Unsplash
Students come with different gifts. They are like pencils in different colors. They come with varied talents, skills, and personalities. Are we working towards this incredible uniqueness each day?
Since everyone in the classroom has different personalities, I’d love to share effective tips on how to get along and achieve a harmonious relationship in the learning environment. So stay tuned and reflect on your own best practices.
_______________
<<Do you want to learn more about diversity? Here are 5 great books about diversity that will help you develop an interpersonal relationship with your students. Check them out!
_______________
How To Work With Different Personalities In The Classroom? 6 Guaranteed Effective Tips Every Teacher Must Know
1. Identify your students’ different learning styles.
Ours are unique learners. Also, they learn differently. As we aim to give students meaningful learning experiences, we should identify our students’ different learning styles. I find this very necessary in order to meet the individual learning needs of our students.
There are students who are visually inclined while others learn best when they are moving or are kinesthetic learners. We can identify the learning styles of our students by making a careful assessment of their capabilities and knowledge.
I usually do this during the first few weeks after the opening of classes. I keep a record of the results and make an analysis, I know this is challenging but it’s worth it. By producing a reliable assessment of your student’s learning styles, you can develop lessons accordingly. This will give you a headstart.
The identification process should be done to help students maximize their learning potential and to help them achieve exceptional academic results.
2. Apply differentiated instructions to diverse learning styles.
As we develop lessons, we can easily apply differentiated instructions to fit the diverse learning styles of students. This is interrelated to strategy number 1. Am I right?
Our customized instructions are our way of meeting the individual learning needs of our students. As we create multiple ways of designing our content delivery, we are giving each student equal access to learning. Thus they’re able to prove their understanding through their outputs. This also practically requires a differentiated assessment.
Since nobody in the classroom learns and performs exactly the same way, it’s always necessary to differentiate instruction to better meet the needs of our students.
How do we differentiate instruction? We can do it through careful planning of the lesson activities according to the needs and abilities of the learners. Our varied teaching strategies are our response to students’ diverse learning needs. Hence, we are able to commit to effective student learning by creating different ways to learn the content following the same learning objectives.
Differentiated instruction is one great way of working with different personalities in the classroom. Students learn in different processes and produce different products relevant to the content presented.
Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash
3. Motivate students and engage them proactively.
During my earlier years in the teaching profession, I found motivating students very challenging. I struggled with motivational techniques. However, as I evolved in the teaching field, I learned the best techniques about student motivation and engagement. I also collaborate with other teachers whether seasoned or new.
Student motivation is very essential in the teaching and learning process. Just imagine standing in front of unmotivated individuals. It can be stressful if our students are not engaged properly. Moreover, motivating students to learn and process content should be a key component of our daily lesson plans.
Motivation rings in determination. It’s a way of instilling in our students a sense of engagement and active participation. Our students can achieve much if they are motivated to learn. Hence, the proper motivation we plan for our students is to help us work with different personalities in the classroom.
If our students are properly motivated, they can be happy learning with us. They will enjoy every step of the way and they will exude confidence.
4. Create a fair and equitable learning environment.
Our students will dare to dream big if they feel that you as their teacher are creating a fair learning environment for them. Establishing rules and routines for all students to adhere to is a way of recognizing their different personalities. Through this, a trusting teacher-student relationship will flourish and it can make a huge difference.
Students will suffer setbacks if the learning environment benefits only a few. The success of our students results not only from their innate brilliance but also from the immersive learning environment we create for them. This can be another big challenge for us teachers but let’s just look forward to its exceptional results. It has a boundless impact on the students’ performance as well.
There are students who are content to just sit and listen while others love to go around and socialize. By striving hard to engage them all by modifying our teaching strategies and by reaching out to each one of them, our students will feel our concern; thus, they celebrate their uniqueness. This establishes a culture of equality in the classroom which also answers the question “how to work with different personalities in the classroom?”
Creating a fair and equitable learning environment requires our commitment and creativity as teachers. Don’t undermine your authority by being unfair.
5. Always prepare.
Notwithstanding our increasing tasks as teachers, we should always come to school prepared. Our students will feel empowered if they are provided with interactive activities that allow them to be at their best. This is a product of intensive lesson planning and the sincere execution of your teaching plans and decisions.
By being prepared each day, we are confident to allow our students to express their thoughts and ideas and by asking questions. And the best part? We are giving students amazing opportunities to lead their learning. Through this strategy, we are doing away with what’s traditional and obsolete. Gone are the days when teachers stood in front of the class and did the talking and lecturing.
As facilitators of positive growth, we should create a positive and inspiring environment by being prepared. We should know how to deal with our individual students and meet them halfway.
By acknowledging their different personalities through your creative means, you are developing an uplifting learning space.
6. Accept and respect student differences.
How to work with different personalities in the classroom? We need to establish acceptance and respect. Respect is always a key component in building relationships in the classroom.
The amalgamation of different personalities in the classroom can cause conflict if not managed properly. Since we are mainly in charge of that particular task in the classroom, we should conceive acceptance and respect in our students’ unique personalities. It doesn’t mean, however, that we tolerate their disruptive behavior and their misconduct.
We have to settle student differences if we want to inspire our students to work hard and do their best. As advocates of learning, we should not allow one single child to be left behind in our class.
By constantly reflecting on our teaching strategies and evaluating our performance as teachers, we can easily monitor every child’s progress. In my class, for example, I have students who are high performing, average, and who are performing below the expected results. After each lesson, should I go forward without considering others? Or should I wait for others while compromising the more advanced? It’s a no for me.
This requires my varied teaching strategies. As I do it, I have set an open mind that my students have different personalities and they perform differently. That’s acceptance for me.
For us to be effective as teachers, we have to respect our student’s individual package. It’s essential for an enriching classroom environment.
Conclusion
So, how do you work with different personalities in the classroom?
Each day is an opportunity for us to showcase our best teaching strategies and techniques on how we deal with students’ individual differences. Our ways can either make or break the teaching-learning process.
Continuously berating a student just because he is different from the others or he is performing low, is a no-no in teaching. It’s an insinuation of poor judgment. Hence, it should be avoided. What our students want is acceptance of their different personalities, settlement of their differences, magnifying their strengths, and honing of their skills and abilities.
But we should not forget to make things clear that establishing respect for the classroom is a two-way street. I know that we are smart enough to manage our student’s behavior so they will grow respectful to everyone. This requires hard work, I know. But nothing is impossible for a committed teacher. Am I right?
How do the given tips interest you? Do you have anything in mind that will help us work with different personalities in the classroom? Your best practices are most welcome! Share your piece with others by dropping your thoughts below.
