- Feel they must always be doing something
- Ultra-competitive
- Take charge
- Make lists and check them off
It works spectacularly in the classroom. Yes, they're still kids, but they know how to kick things into gear and work extremely hard to be the best at everything, especially in yearbook. However, it took a couple of weeks but I realized that although these traits are spectacular, it leads to lots of head-butting. Everyone wants to take charge, everyone wants to win as a group and individual, and don't you dare move my checklist if it is sitting at my workstation.
It got me thinking about myself. I care deeply about the program but am definitely much more of the type-B variety. I have a pile system which works for me on organization and making sure things get done, I rarely make checklists. I don't mind being a leader, but I'm not shoving everyone out of my way to become one. I still get my work done and right but I definitely don't stress and worry constantly.
Although I don't have to worry about my kids not getting things done, it does lead to drama and sometimes a Mean Girls mentality which has to be broken up. The previous teacher was very much a type-A queen bee who recruited students similar to her. I'm not a pushy person and have a much more laissez-faire approach to teaching. I will definitely need to find my balance between those A and B students as the years progress. I'm looking forward to recruiting more motivated students who are like me and not constantly on edge. However, I'm going to need to make sure I get some A types in there because I realize their importance and want a variety of different kinds of students.
Garrett Herbst
Ronald Reagan High School
San Antonio, Texas
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