I have been an elementary teacher for 11 years; an elementary principal for 3 years. Prior to that, I worked in training and development for Honeywell. The combination of both of these positions has given me opportunities I never would have dreamed I was capable of doing.
I was always a shy, introverted student. When I had to stand up in front of my high school class and give a speech, I froze, couldn't remember a word, and ran off the stage crying. I was class valedictorian. I remember walking up on stage and going to join the choir. I do not remember saying a single word. My parents assured me I did. (I think they just said that to make me feel good!) When I worked at Honeywell, my boss decided I would be the training person for our department, requiring me to stand in front of very high level employees and teach them. I was petrified. The first time I trained, I knocked over all the equipment! It got better as I took feedback and learned a style that worked for me. Public speaking doesn't have to be terrifying and I speak from personal experience.
I use all that I have learned from each teaching experience to develop the best learning processes I can. Training taught me that people learn best from being actively involved in the learning process, and the more fun...the more learning!
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