Homework due to the dropbox Tuesday 9/4 before the start of class
Professional Studies
Name: Bridget Behm
1. Explain (in your own words) your specific learning styles from the learning styles survey
that you took online. Make sure to explain your greatest strengths, as well as how you
learned best. (This should be at least two paragraphs; do not plagiarize the printout of the
learning styles explanation.  )
Knowing a student’s learning style is crucial to being a successful teacher.
However, knowing your personal learning style is also important as a teacher. I enjoyed
taking the learning styles quiz because it is important to understand the ways in which
your personal mind works. My top three learning styles were inter-personal, intrapersonal, and bodily/physical. Inter-personal is my greatest strength and it’s basically
defined as I work well with others and I learn the best when I work and study with others.
Intra-personal and bodily/physical were my next best learning styles respectfully. Intrapersonal is best defined as I work well alone. I found this to be interesting since I work
best with others and by myself. Throughout my education, I have definitely noticed that I
am a kinesthetic (bodily/physical) learner. I learn well when I have a model in front of
me or something that I can touch and effectively understand the given material.
My learning style weaknesses include linguistic (verbal), musical (auditory), and
naturalistic. The results of the quiz definitely were logical to my education. I was never
able to listen to a lecture by a teacher and understand the material instantly. I had to see it
and be able to be hands-on with the material. I would need to see the information in front
of me then be able to work with it through a hands-on activity. I believe that it is very
important to understand learning styles as a teacher because you need to know how to
communicate the information with your students effectively.
2. Complete the following chart on the Chapters 8-10 reading in The First Days of School.
(You must have one quote/concept and one corresponding reaction for each page
assigned to read.)
Chapters 8, 9, and 10 in The First Days of School
Author: Wong
Quotes/Concepts from Text
Chapter 8
pg.50: “You do not get a second chance to
make a first impression.”
Your reactions/thoughts/questions
This quote is very true in all aspects of life. People judge
the way you speak and dress within the first seconds of
meeting you. This quote is applicable to professional
interviews and especially in the teaching profession.
pg.51: “Far more teachers today (75%)
report that they would advise a young
person to pursue a career in teaching.”
I found this statistic to be interesting since several
teachers advise young people to go into different jobs
because of the salary. However, many of my previous
teachers have encouraged me to go into the profession.
pg.52: “Your dress, your actions, and your
words are what young people will take to
be appropriate.”
Teachers have a great influence on their students and
everything that they do will be seen as appropriate. I
believe that teachers are under the microscope more than
any other profession.
pg.53: “Every time you act, you validate
who you are.”
Teachers must keep a constant manner of professionalism.
If teachers act in a disrespectful or inappropriate way,
then the students will not respect them as much. However,
if they act in a respectful and appropriate way, then the
atmosphere of the classroom will follow that.
pg.54: “Your respect begins with your
appearance.”
I believe that respecting yourself and others begins with
how you look. Dressing professionally is a big part of
respect in the classroom.
pg.55: “Career clothes prepare students for
a future in the competitive, global world
economy.”
When students view teachers as professionals, they can
view themselves as future professionals.
pg.56: “When people care about you, they
will respect you, learn from you, and buy
from you.”
This quote is very true in regards to how you dress and act
in the workplace.
pg.57: “Your dress announces to the world
whether you care or do not care about
yourself.”
Professionalism starts with respecting yourself and if you
do then it’ll make for a better professional career.
pg.58: “The effective teacher…is a role
model for students.”
Everything about this statement is true. When a teacher is
an effective teacher and influences students in positive
ways then everyone is benefited.
Chapter 9
pg.59: “There must be people, places,
policies, procedures, and programs
working together to invite people to realize
their fullest potential.”
When people work together, everyone achieves more.
pg.60: “The effective teacher builds
relationships with parents.”
Parent and teacher relationships are very crucial to a
child’s successful education.
pg.61: “Of course knowing your
curriculum is vital; but knowing your
students takes time and leads to success.”
Knowing and understanding a student’s life can lead to a
successful education since the student trusts and believes
you.
pg.62: “Are you invitational or
disinvitational?”
All of the phrases that are listed on this page are very
helpful to me as a future teacher so I know how to word
certain phrases when I have my own classroom.
pg.63: “Effective teachers have the power
and the ability to invite students and
colleagues to learn together each day in
every class.”
Being an effective teacher involves every member of the
school and it creates a great environment for learning.
pg.64: “You are important to me as a
person.”
Regardless of your profession, hearing someone say this
to you everyday could instantly brighten your mood. If
you are a teacher, saying this to a student could motivate
them to be a better student and person.
pg.65: “The Four Levels of Invitational
Education”
The four levels are as follows: intentionally disinviting,
unintentionally disinviting, unintentionally inviting,
intentionally inviting. It’s good to know the four levels so
that as a future teacher I try to be an inviting teacher.
pg.66: “When you apply the power of
positive expectations and invitational
education, you become a very powerful and
effective teacher.”
pg.67: “The Effective Teacher… has an
inviting personality.”
Positivity and an inviting attitude can instantly make a
student feel special and more motivated.
Teachers who are welcoming towards their students create
a successful environment.
Chapter 10
pg.68: “When you look at truly effective
teachers, you will also find caring, warm,
lovable people.”
Most people stereotype teachers as people who have
warm hearts and care about other people. I believe it’s
completely true.
pg.69: “When you address a student, use
the student’s name.”
This is a simple task that tells students their teacher cares
about them.
pg.70: “Repetition is the key.”
I found it interesting to learn that it takes repeating
something eight times in order to learn it.
pg.71: “You really cannot use please
without using thank you.”
Using polite gestures and respectful words can impact a
student and encourage them to do the same.
pg.72: “Smiling uses far fewer muscles
than frowning.”
I loved the fact that this quote was in the text. My friends
often call me “Smiley” because I’m constantly smiling. It
is definitely something that will help me in my
professional career.
pg.73: “A smile is the universal language
of understanding, peace, and harmony.”
I believe that smiling is a great habit to have as a teacher
and helps teachers communicate with students.
pg.74: “Technique for Smiling, Speaking,
and Pausing.”
I liked this technique because it helps future teachers
understand and practice how to talk to students.
pg.75: “Love is the reason for teaching.”
I believe that you must have passion and love if you’re
going to be an effective teacher.
pg.76: “The Effective Teacher…is loving
and caring, lovable and capable.”
In order to be an effective teacher, I believe that being
loving and caring should be at the top of the list.