Extroversion, Introversion, and the Classroom

[mindyklasky]

We wrapped up another good weekend here in Klaskyville, starting with a Thursday night family dinner to celebrate a cousin’s graduation from elementary school (OK - I enjoyed the family get-together, but “graduation from elementary school” feel odd to type, to this non-parent…)  On Friday, we saw THE REAL THING at Studio Theatre - a play that is as

Comments

[shanrina]

I'm an odd introvert--public speaking doesn't tire me out because, honestly, I love talking and I love the sound of my own voice. I also know very clearly where the hierarchy is--I'm in charge, in the sense that I control the topic, I can take questions when I want (or not), etc. But just plain old conversation is absolutely exhausting for me, even with most of my RL friends.

And I remember that when I was in school everyone had to call going from elementary to middle and then middle to high school "promotion" rather than "graduation" so that us kids wouldn't think that we were somehow done with school. This was actually explained to my class at some point. So while I do think that elementary school "graduation" is pretty ridiculous, the alternatives can be pretty odd as well.

[mindyklasky]

That's an interesting point, about the *control* being seductive in public speaking. I love being able to manage the time, the flow of questions, etc. I also love making people laugh.

I heard someone else call the end of one school "promotion" - which also makes me laugh, because really kids, this isn't a job :-) At least, if it's a job, it's the best one I ever had :-)

[deborahblakehps]

I find time spent with others much more tiring than time spent by myself--no matter how much I like the other person (or people--and the more there are, the more tiring it is). I love teaching, but I'm glad I didn't end up doing it full time, as I'd once planned.

[mindyklasky]

I never considered teaching full time, but I do enjoy doing it in short bursts. (The thought of online teaching does not appeal to me nearly as much, so there's clearly *some* social element I'm getting out of it!)

[deborahblakehps]

I've been teaching online for years, and really enjoyed that too. But it does still take lots of time and energy, so for the moment, I'm giving that up.

Full time teaching is insane :-)

[mtlawson]

When you find out what it is like to be an extrovert, let me know.

[mindyklasky]

It's funny - I can more easily imagine a whole lot of other mental states (paranoia, depression, and various other mental illnesses I can inflict on my characters) than I can the totally healthy state of extroversion!

[nynrose]

I'm an extreme introvert myself and I need lots of time to recooperate after weekends together with lots of people.

The only time I'm not this way is when I'm performing on stage, because I'm acting a part, and I'm not being myself, and I thrive off of the audience reaction.

[mindyklasky]

Some of the strongest introverts I've known have been actors -- they totally subsume themselves in roles, but have no energy left for personal communication. Paradoxically, some of the strongest EXtroverts I've known have been actors as well...

[deborahblakehps]

I think that the reason I don't find it as tiring to talk to a group of people when I am at events speaking as "author" is that I put on the persona of "author" like a part in a play :-)