Date: July 10, 2018
01) Teachers, Quit Telling Introverts They Should Participate More
“We need to change the misconception that those who are the most outspoken are the most intelligent and engaged. There are many ways to be engaged. The child who does not speak in a large group may feel more comfortable in a small group. Break the class into small groups and give quiet students the chance to speak in a lower-risk situation. Or give them the option to write their thoughts instead of speaking them. There are many ways to cater to quiet, introverted students without imposing the extroverted norm upon them.
Most important, appreciate your introverted students. Appreciate their strengths and verbalize this to them. Do not let them grow up thinking they need to change or that they would be better if they were more like their outgoing peers. Introverted children are the strong, independent leaders of our future. Celebrate them.”
For me…I was never spastic enough, during pep rallies…
…As if my jumping up and down, clapping and chanting like an idiot, was going to help make the sports team win, later that evening…when I wouldn’t even be there…
…I’m not going to say I outright hated pep rallies…but, let’s face it…they are totally, irrefutably, unconditionally and outlandishly insane…
…And the school forced you to participate.
I also had an endless parade of trouble, when forced to stand in front of the class, chapel or whatever, and speak/read alone…It was utter hell. It didn’t matter how many times I’d done it previously…it was always hell, just as bad…if not worse…even if the group was small…
Nothing ever improved about it…and it was just psychological torture, for no good or valid reason.
They claim it’s supposed to be good for you, but no…it really isn’t…
…And they claim you’re supposed to “defeat it”, but no…you never really do…I felt like I made virtually no “progress” at all.
Allegedly…it’s supposed to be a useful talent…Reality is…most people wont spend their lives speaking in front of crowds…So, why should you be preparing for it?
Strengths in being an INFP [Introverted, Feeling Personality], include the fact that you can entertain yourself quite well, even with just your own mind and imagination…and you don’t go crazy, while being isolated from the rest of the world for long stretches…On the contrary…it’s a highly pleasing vacation…We also have stubborn will power on our side…and the ability to work through problems…often in ways, nobody else envisions.
…I think we INFPs, are the most psychologically and intellectually strong people of this world, on average…We just don’t get recognized for it so much, because it takes an accident of “fate” to get us recognized by other people.
