Foundations Newsletter

What is an Introvert?

Between 30% and 50% of people have introverted personality types. While this personality type may be a minority within a given population, these teachers (and learners) have distinct interaction preferences that impact their behavior in (and out of) the classroom. This succinct video explains the differences between introvert and extrovert needs.

Teachers with Introverted Personality Type:

            Teachers who have introverted personality types may face many challenges in the classroom. Public gatherings, or even just entering a busy work area, can be overwhelming and draining as they cater expressly to extroverted personality work preferences and needs. Introverts are highly productive workers (Cain, 2008). Susan Cain’s book about introverts offers this manifesto for introverts as a means to opening workplace conversations to introverted needs.

Tips for Introverted Teachers:

• Find ways to make time in your schedule to have downtime from the high-stimulation environment of the classroom.
• Try
  to utilize your strengths- such as written communication and planning (utilizing social media can go far for you particularly in classroom exercises)
• Only push yourself in ways that are healthy and appropriate like practicing overwhelming social tasks or presentations.
• Establish boundaries (students may only come to see you if they have an appointment, or appointments are limited to 10 minutes, etc.).
• Devise a system that helps you signal to students when they need to listen (give a cue to a class leader who then hushes noisy peers).
• Make an effort to socialize in small but regular ways to ensure that you are engaging in collaboration and supporting peers as a member of the team. This can be accomplished by doing manageable things like talking for 5 minutes at lunch time, talking while walking together on a break, or checking in with your colleagues periodically during the day/week to promote the bonds and requisite social cohesion that helps teams function.

Quick Tips for Leaders of Introverted Teachers:

1. Introverts usually get less out of face-to-face meetings than written communication. Try to offer written alternatives or supplements when feasible.
2. Support introvert needs to have pauses in stimulating environments such as training sessions and long meetings by giving a 2-minute break now and then.
3. Offer flexible schedules when possible to enable introverts opportunities to engage and recharge in ways that support their ability to maximize contributions.
4. Don’t view introversion as something that needs to be cured, is detrimental to the team, or indicates a lack of engagement or commitment from the teacher.
5. Keep in mind you will usually have better results meeting with introverts one-on-one than in a group.
6. Give them time to process information, think, and respond when possible to elicit to maximize their contribution potential.