Energising Teaching

1. Every teacher possesses a unique pedagogical gift

A pedagogical gift is a personal prize to be both treasured and shared.

Innate teaching ability. Each educator brings a distinctive combination of personality, skills, and experiences to their classroom. This unique blend forms their pedagogical gift - a special capacity to inspire, engage, and educate students in ways that only they can.

Diversity in gifts. The GIFTS Project revealed a wide array of pedagogical approaches among participants:

• Frank Tessman's passion for making science a "love affair"
• Donna Nipperess's talent for personalized mentoring
• Greg Stone's use of drama to challenge social constructs
• Ms A's ability to engage disadvantaged Indigenous students

Understanding and embracing one's pedagogical gift can lead to increased job satisfaction, improved student outcomes, and a revitalized sense of purpose in teaching.

2. Personality type shapes teaching style and classroom dynamics

Your pedagogical gift manifests in a classroom presence that mirrors the essence of you—your distinctive personality, your education philosophy, your human values.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The MBTI framework provides insights into how personality influences teaching style:

• Extroverted types may excel at dynamic classroom presentations
• Introverted types might create calmer, more reflective learning environments
• Sensing types often emphasize practical, experience-based learning
• Intuitive types tend to focus on big-picture concepts and creative approaches

Matching personality to pedagogy. Teachers can leverage their personality strengths to enhance their effectiveness. For example:

• An ENFP "Champion" type like Wendy Anderson might use humor and enthusiasm to inspire students
• An ISTJ "Inspector" type could excel at creating structured, reliable learning experiences

By understanding their personality type, teachers can tailor their approaches to maximize their natural strengths and connect more authentically with students.

3. Subject passion and teaching niche influence pedagogical approach

Sixteen to seventeen is the magic age, where a short lifetime of emotional and cognitive developments coheres.

Subject expertise. A teacher's passion for their subject area often forms the core of their pedagogical gift. This enthusiasm can manifest in various ways:

• Frank Tessman's ability to make science relevant to current events
• Denise Johnston's use of poetry to help adolescents navigate complex emotions
• Paul Tyrrell's talent for creating holistic musical experiences

Preferred teaching niche. Many educators find they excel with particular age groups or in specific contexts:

• Early childhood specialists like Deirdre Tate focus on foundational skills and wonder
• Ms A discovered her gift for working with at-risk Indigenous youth
• Jerry Johannson found his niche teaching adolescent girls

By aligning their subject passion and preferred teaching niche, educators can create powerful learning experiences that leverage their unique strengths and interests.

4. Interactive learning styles and brain functions impact teaching effectiveness

Drive around a few neighbourhoods and note the mottos and vision statements posted outside some local schools. Many convey a clear preference for a particular form of student participation and engagement.

Classroom interaction styles. Teachers often excel in one of three main interactive approaches:

1. Whole-class instruction: Suited for direct presentation and explicit teaching
2. Small group interaction: Ideal for collaborative problem-solving and peer learning
3. Individualized learning: Focused on personalized instruction and one-on-one support

Cognitive functions. Different teachers may be drawn to particular aspects of neurological development:

• Knowledge acquisition (e.g., Frank Tessman's emphasis on scientific method)
• Understanding (e.g., Lisa-Marie Louange's focus on making connections)
• Application (e.g., Donna Nipperess's commitment to real-world learning)
• Higher-order thinking (e.g., Shane Albertson's use of moral reasoning with Muslim students)

By identifying their preferred interaction style and cognitive emphasis, teachers can design learning experiences that maximize their pedagogical strengths and engage students more effectively.

5. Discovering your pedagogical gift requires introspection and collegial dialogue

Perhaps there is no single concept of 'pedagogical gift' that applies across the teaching profession, or even a school or teaching team. Perhaps a 'pedagogical gift' is inseparable from the individual practitioner.

Self-reflection. The process of uncovering one's pedagogical gift involves:

• Analyzing personality type and its impact on teaching style
• Identifying subject passions and preferred teaching niches
• Reflecting on successful classroom interactions and learning outcomes

Collaborative exploration. The GIFTS Project demonstrated the value of:

• Engaging in professional dialogue with colleagues
• Sharing experiences and insights about teaching approaches
• Providing and receiving feedback on pedagogical strategies

Tools for discovery:

• Personality assessments (e.g., MBTI)
• Reflective exercises on subject preferences and teaching contexts
• Video analysis of classroom interactions
• Collegial discussions and focus groups

By combining individual reflection with collaborative exploration, teachers can gain deeper insights into their unique pedagogical gifts and how to leverage them effectively.

6. Enriching and sharing pedagogical gifts enhances professional growth

Co-mentoring moves beyond this as a method of shared reflective practice to improve teaching; a collaborative relationship in which each participant is both learner and teacher.

Strategies for enhancement:

1. Learning from iconic role models with similar personality types
2. Seeking advice from educational "oracles" or thought leaders
3. Practicing phenomenological reflection to uncover hidden meanings in everyday teaching
4. Engaging in co-mentoring relationships with colleagues

Benefits of sharing:

• Increased self-awareness and confidence in teaching abilities
• Exposure to diverse pedagogical approaches and perspectives
• Opportunities for collaborative problem-solving and innovation
• Creation of a more supportive and growth-oriented school culture

By actively enriching and sharing their pedagogical gifts, teachers can continually refine their practice, support their colleagues' development, and contribute to a more vibrant professional community.

7. School leadership plays a crucial role in nurturing teachers' gifts

Highly successful principals invariably demonstrate towering ambitions for themselves, their teachers, their students and their schools.

Leadership approaches that support pedagogical gifts:

1. Collaborative individualism: Balancing individual expression with shared purpose
2. School-wide pedagogy (SWP): Providing a foundation for consistent, high-quality teaching
3. Parallel leadership: Empowering teacher-leaders to drive pedagogical development

Case studies:

• St Rita's Catholic Primary School: Principal Anne McKenny fostered a culture of trust and shared vision, enabling teachers to explore and develop their gifts
• Coach Carter: A teacher-leader used his pedagogical gift to transform student culture and academic achievement

Effective school leaders:

• Articulate clear visions and high expectations
• Create environments that encourage professional growth and risk-taking
• Recognize and celebrate the diverse gifts of their teaching staff
• Provide resources and support for ongoing pedagogical development

By embracing these leadership approaches, principals and administrators can create school cultures that nurture and amplify the unique pedagogical gifts of their teachers.

8. Recognizing pedagogical gifts can revitalize the teaching profession

Energizing teaching: the power of your unique pedagogical gift is our best effort to speak out on behalf of the Australian teaching profession.

Balancing standards and individuality. The teaching profession needs to:

• Acknowledge the importance of external standards and benchmarks
• Equally value the unique gifts and approaches of individual teachers

Benefits of recognizing pedagogical gifts:

• Increased job satisfaction and professional fulfillment
• Enhanced teacher retention and recruitment
• Improved student engagement and learning outcomes
• Greater public recognition of teaching as a skilled, diverse profession

A new professional ethos. The authors propose a "Hippocratic Oath for 21st century teachers" that emphasizes:

1. Understanding and appreciating one's personal pedagogical gift
2. Using that gift to inspire student confidence and learning
3. Sharing gifts with colleagues and learning from others
4. Balancing systemic priorities with individual strengths
5. Acknowledging the limits of one's knowledge and expertise

By embracing the concept of pedagogical gifts, the teaching profession can reclaim its power, elevate its status, and inspire a new generation of educators to discover and share their unique contributions to the field.

Last updated: August 3, 2024