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            I feel that I have strengths that are valuable to me as a teacher. One of my biggest strengths is how patient I am. I have always been very patient and have found that patience is a very important trait to have when dealing with adolescent learners. Another strength I have is my experience in my undergraduate degree. I have a set of knowledge and skills that no one else in my department has. Another strength I have as far as experience is my time in the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. I have learned several techniques and uses for technology in the classroom that could help in the learning of students. I also will have a network of connections through the fellowship. I will be able to use resources from the college if I need to, as well as collaborate and gather ideas from other highly qualified teachers from the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship.

 

            There are also weaknesses I have that will make my job harder. One weakness I have is that I am not the most organized person. I can be organized, but as time passes I usually become less organized and that has hurt my productivity. I also have fears about trying a big, new thing. I like to try new things, especially in the classroom, but I shy away from a big change. I am afraid it will fail, and I will look incompetent to students, colleagues, and administration. Another weakness is that I will be a first-year teacher, so I don’t have a lot of experience in the classroom. I also will be teaching a subject that I have not had really any experience with in my studies or in my time student teaching.

 

            Many of my weaknesses can create opportunities for me as a teacher. I will be a first-year teacher, but that is an opportunity to learn from veteran teachers, I just have to be willing to ask for help. Another opportunity comes from teaching a subject I don’t have experience with. It is an opportunity for me to expand my professional knowledge. I also have an opportunity to spark interest in students by using the connections I have and making better connections between content and real life.

 

            My weaknesses are threats to me. I have to find a way to overcome my weaknesses to help me be the best teacher I can be. I also have committed to coach two sports, this is a threat because it will take up my time outside of the classroom. There are more threats to me that I feel I am not yet aware of since I have not spent time in my new position, and am unsure of exactly all of my roles and responsibilities as a teacher.