Reflective Journal Type(s) of Teacher

Today I find myself in my nineteenth year of schooling; my ninth semester of

undergraduate studies in Human Development and Family Studies, as well as Spanish Education,
and in my third Education practicum. When I was a student, I used to think that anyone could be
a teacher; that if a person knew the content, they could teach. Moreover, I thought that if a person
knew the content in depth, they could be the best teacher. Today however, as a student and a
future teacher, I realize that that is not the case. Not anyone can be a teacher. Being a great
teacher, goes beyond knowing the content in depth. It requires a lot of practice, preparation,
determination, and multiple characteristics that fall within the aforementioned ones. Some
include: presence, control, motivation, respect, and guidance. Although they sound like things
that are easy to do, handling all of them at once whilst teaching content, can be very challenging.
Today I have a clear understanding of the characteristics previously mentioned, which are key
strategies in teaching but I do not have full control of them whilst teaching content. It is
challenging for me to focus on teaching a lesson whilst having to address student behavior in
class. I attended international American schools from k-12 and what I see in the American
schools is very different from what I experienced. I find that students in American schools are
quite disrespectful towards teachers, specifically hierarchy. There is a lack of respect towards
elders, which is something that continuously shocks me. Therefore, I think that, currently, I can
be categorized as a Finger-Wagger teacher. Nonetheless, I aspire to develop into an
authoritative teacher.
Hierarchy is something that I have always valued and respected. I was raised on the
value of respect and on the belief that elders teach and guide the young. Therefore, classroom
misbehavior, such as disrespecting the teacher (i.e. talking over him/her, talking back to him/her,

ignoring, eye rolling, etc.) is something that is unbelievable to me. Nonetheless, such
misbehavior is something that I have continuously experienced throughout my Education
practicums. Students are rude to the classroom teacher and they are also rude to me. The other
day for example, I asked a student to pay attention to what the classroom teacher was instructing
and stop talking. Unsurprisingly, this student rolled her eyes at me and continued to talk over the
teacher. I do not understand how such misbehavior and lack of respect is allowed. It is hard for
me to deal with these kind of students because I have not yet figured out a way to address such
behavior without lecturing or getting upset at the student. I believe that my education, at home
and at school, shaped the values and beliefs that I hold today. Therefore, I find myself being the
Finger-Wagger type of teacher today. My goal is to grow out of that type and become an
authoritative teacher but, as Lopez-Burtn points out in the chapter Types of Teachers; Dos and
Donts, most great teachers are made, not born (Burtn, 2014).
Right now I find myself getting easily upset at student misbehavior and unpreparedness.
When I was in school there was no other option but to be prepared for class, do your homework,
follow rules, show respect, and get good grades. Those who didnt do the aforementioned were
given only one chance to make it right. There was very little tolerance for students who didnt
put in the effort. However, American schools are different, to say the least. They do not penalize
students for being unprepared for class or for disrespecting teachers. Burtn explains that
international teachers believe schools in the U.S. are too permissive and that U.S. students are
undisciplined (Burtn, 2014). I agree with Burtn but I also have to realize that I am not teaching
in an international American school. This means that I have to change my expectations and
understand that each and every institution has a different set of values and beliefs. In American
schools, students are not required to take a language class. Burtn explains that students have

many classes at one time and that they feel that it is their decision to study or not for your class
to get a low grade or not: it is their choice (Burtn, 2014). Therefore, as a future foreign language
teacher of American school(s), I have to set aside some of my values and beliefs, and modify my
goals. This means that I have to understand that discipline and respect are not an uttermost
priority; that it is okay to be lenient. Thus, my focus should be geared towards a linguistic goal
more. This does not mean that I will disregard classroom management; rather, it means that I will
be more understanding and tolerant of student behavior. I have to accept that a certain percentage
of students simply dont care, no matter what I do. Whether I lecture them in regards to behavior
or academics, students will do what they want (Burtn, 2014). Thus my goal is to become an
authoritative type of teacher.
An authoritative teacher has a parent-child like relationship with the students. Parents
are supposed to be kind to their children, as well as understand and relate to them but they are
not supposed to be their childs buddy. Similarly, teachers should be kind to their students,
understand them, and provide them a safe environment; one where they can feel comfortable and
relaxed. Nonetheless, it is important that such space and atmosphere created, come from a leader
or a guide they look up to, not from an equal (Burtn 2014). I want to be a teacher whom
students can trust. Additionally, I want students to know and feel that I am there to facilitate
learning and accommodate any learning needs they might have. I want to be a teacher who is
fair, sure of herself, fun, and professional in the classroom. I want to earn the respect and
appreciation of my future students. Doing so requires that I demonstrate presence and control of
the classroom, that I respect, praise, encourage, and help students, and that I teach them content
in interactive ways. If I manage to teach in such a way, including all of the aforementioned
characteristics, I will become a great teacher. Therefore, I will never cease to continuously work

hard at self-improvement, learn from experience(s), and continue to be the best teacher that I can
be for my students.