10 hints to become an emotionally intelligent teacher!

" The emotions that teachers display both consciously and unconsciously can significantly enhance or inhibit student learning " ( Powell & Powell, 2010)





The term Emotional Intelligence(EI) was coined in 1990 and popularized by Daniel Goleman. Emotionally intelligent teachers are active in their orientation to students. They are resilient in responde to negative stress and less likely to overwhelm themselves with pessimism and strong, negative emotions. An emotionally intelligent teacher learns and applies emotional intelligence skills to improve:

1) physical and mental health by gaining knowledge/ techniques to break the habit of emotional reactivity (stress management)
2) communication in personal and work relationships (assertion)
3) ability to manage anxiety and improve performance under pressure (anxiety management)
4) ability to understand and accept differences in others and diversity issues (empathy)
5) ability to plan, formulate, implement effective problem solving procedures in stressful situations (decision making)
6) ability to positively impact, persuade and influence others (leadership)
7) ability to direct energy and motivation to accomplish personally meaningful goals (drive strenght)
8) ability to manage time to meet goals and assignments (time management)
9) flexibility and positive attitude towards changes.
10) self esteem and confidence by learning specific emotional Intelligence skills promoting a positive personal change.
And, of course, the top hint is being aware of the fact that becoming an emotionally intelligent teacher is a journey and a process, not an arrival state or end!

For further reading go to:

http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/TYC_V3N4_Kremenitzer.pdf ( very good article for very young learners teachers!!!!)

References:

Powell, O (2010). Becoming an emotionally intelligent teacher.

Justice, M (2005). Emotional Intelligence in teacher education and practice.

http://www.tamuk.edu/edu/kwei000/research/articles/article_files/emotionally_intelligent_teacher.pdf