Personality in the Field of Education (Sample Personal Statement)

The Importance of Personality in The Field of Education

Personal Statement - My Teaching Abilities and Integrity

One of the most essential aspects of an individual's personality in the field of education is the ability to work comfortably and efficiently with those who perceive the individual as an authority figure. For this reason, I believe that my empathy and understanding of others is the character trait that best qualifies me-and will be most helpful to me-as I pursue my studies and career in education. I have no real desire to wield authority over anyone else, and do not believe that this is always (or even often) the most effective type of relationship to exist between an educator and their students. Yet I also understand that the perception of such authority often exists in students towards their instructors, and behaving in a manner that simply rejects this can lead to communication problems in the teacher-student relationship down the line. Even though I am actually made personally uncomfortable by situations that make others see me as a figure of authority, I realize that I cannot simply discount such perceptions and attitudes. I have learned, through various aspects of my education and my experience. To adequately and appropriately fill the roles of authority that others might endow me with even when I feel more comfortable in more equal relationships.

The pursuit of any field to a level of mastery will necessarily involve certain expectations from others not just in terms of the level of knowledge and expertise attained, but also in behaviors and attitudes. At the same time, it is necessary that a good educator be able to speak candidly about ideas and beliefs-which can often be sensitive areas-with their students, and this is not possible with the division of austere authority standing between them. I have been quite lucky in experiencing many situations where this balance was necessary from both sides of the situation, and believe that this has led to a great ability at assessing the correct balance to strike between professionalism and personability. The two concepts are not, of course, in direct opposition to each other, or even mutually exclusive, but at times a seeming relaxation of professionalism is necessary to put others at ease.

At other times, of course, certain people (generally those older than the typical high school or college student with whom I have had the majority of my leadership experience) much prefer the austere professionalism and distance of the stereotypical college professor. My empathy does more than allow me to strike the right balance between these two aspects, but also enables me to see what type of person I am dealing with, and what responses and attitudes from me help to put them most at ease. Participating in any type of education, as teacher, student, or in less strictly defined roles, requires this ease for truly effective progress and/or learning, making this empathy a very important quality that I possess.

At the same time, I also possess a great integrity. On some views, this might seem to contradict the shifting personalities I suggest myself of being capable of above. I am very strongly committed to my ethical and moral principles, and in no way do these alter based on my assessment of the students and peers that I interact with. On the contrary, my commitment to come to a true understanding of others and to develop the ability to offer real help to the people I interact with in these situations is best served by the subtle shifts made in the presentation of personality. It is my belief that everyone deserves to be dealt with openly and honestly, while at the same time ensuring that every interaction is as positive and productive as possible-which calls for conscious assessment.

Like everyone else I am largely a product of my experiences, and the combination of personal and professional experiences that have led to my current position, and my future goals, makes it clear how my integrity and empathy developed in tandem. Perhaps the most telling and all-encompassing experience I recently had, however, is actually a mixture of both personal and professional.

Over the past summer, I was afforded the opportunity to direct a large group of high school students (thirty-two actors and at least ten additional crew members) in a full-scale production of a British farce (Tom Stoppard's On the Razzle). I had had some theatrical experience prior to this, but nothing that prepared me for the extent of this undertaking. More than anything else, I found the many interpersonal interactions tremendously difficult. The many different personalities and egos at work during rehearsal and in production meetings proved very difficult to negotiate, especially given my own commitment to aesthetic quality. The added challenge of imparting knowledge to the students as we mounted a full production made my dual role of director/educator that much more complex, and required a careful balance of tone and method in achieving the desired results with each individual student. Some students responded better to straightforward requests, while others required more cajoling and/or explanations to fully embrace their work. Eventually, the production came together and was largely successful. I credit this largely to the hard work of all involved, but I believe this also stands a testament to my ability to get along with many different personalities, and to encourage success and progress in those who view me as an authority figure (as the high school students with whom I was working certainly did).

The production also reflects my integrity, which instills in me and my actions not only the desire for moral and ethical correctness but a desire to do everything to the absolute best of my capabilities, and not to accept substandard work from myself or those dependent on me. The twin qualities of empathy and integrity are, I believe, the most essential traits in an educator and in an effective student, and will be of great benefit to me in my future studies and career.