BTI Graduating Teacher Profile Initial Self-Appraisal

A beginning practitioner who has purposed to seek and live wisdom, in

particular within their role as a teacher, and therefore is developing the
following:

A disposition which is gracious, secure and teachable; motivated by love,

informed by faith and inspired by hope
The knowledge of the Biblical meta-narrative and how it has implications for
identity, meaning making, motivation, resilience and professional practice
The skill to draw on professional and pedagogical foundations in ways that
lead to relational, responsive and transformative practice

DISPOSITION:
Gracious: I have always found it easy to relate to others, but found it hard for people
to understand who I and what I stood for, but in being in relation with others has
shown me that with time people can come to more understanding. In many respects
I have over my time at B.T.I always wanted to and have helped people out with my
time and resources, and did at one stage find it hard to say no or set boundaries, but
have learnt to reign them in to a healthy level.
Secure: I am naturally slightly introverted and found it hard at first to be so involved
with sharing and finding my own self at B.T.I but now find it easier to articulate
myself and state what I believe and stand for as I have become more secure in myself
as an individual and as an educator. I have noticed myself get more secure with my
teaching with every practicum that goes by, more sure of my planning and therefore
my teaching. Having learnt so much about teaching styles I was then able to try and
see what worked well for me, and discover where my strengths were. I am now
secure in who I am as an educator and expectantly look to my future in education.
Teachable: all of these qualities require long term intentional growth, and for me
being teachable means that as an educator in a committed to continue to be open to
learning, and being humble in my teacher walk. I believe it will mean that
purposeful inquiry and research will take place in order to gain more relevant
understanding for my practice.
When I first came to B.T.I I was purely just wanting a degree that I could use to teach
with, thinking it would be something I would like to do, I have felt however over the
past three years that the like has turned to love and now it is my passion. Because it
is a passion of mine I plan, teach and reflect with intention because my core focus is

not to do with self-gratification but rather to serve and help others to learn, and
become the best they can be.
I believe that God is with me in the class room and therefore ask to be and feel
guided in my planning and teaching as well as relations with students and staff. I
am naturally quite out going and creative though can get tired easily, B.T.I has
taught me the great skill of balance, and prayer, and believe that with God all things
are possible.
Final comment:
I really do these three dispositions in who I am as a teacher. Since writing these it has
been noted on different occasions by visiting tutors and Associate teachers that I
have these three characteristics and they are at play when I am in the classroom and
after the school bell has rung. Holding onto who I am in God and finding strength in
him has enabled me to teach out of who I am as a Gracious, Secure and teachable
educator. I am more secure in who I am and what my talents and skills are than I
was at the beginning of the year, and my tolerance, and grace for others seems to
have also grown. On practicum four I hit many walls where I thought there was no
way out, though through reflection I was able to take those moments of critical
incidents and work with them, which means that I allowed myself to grow as a
teacher.

Knowledge:
having looked into my world view while studying at B.T.I and asking the big
questions about why I do the things I do and believe the things I believe has not only
made my view change in some areas but has solidified my views, values and ideas.
Having looked at role models like Esther while studying servant leadership, it has
alerted me to the qualities and characteristics esteemed in a leader. This has affected
me in the way that I view not only myself as a leader and educator but also the way I
view my students. Each student to me is a creation of Christ, each individually
formed.
Having looked at and drawn from different sources both in biblical script and
through my peers and tutors I feel that I have been scaffolded me in my professional
practice. It is evident not only in my field of work but also in my life.
Final comment:
A quote that a peer said in his presentation really struck a cord with me the other
day. It went something like thisI know I have grown in my knowledge and
teaching ability because when I am around other teachers and they are talking in
that teacher talk, I now understand all the language and lingo they useI never
used to this is so very true for me. Looking back to some of my first practicums I
remember just talking to other teachers was draining because it was like listening to
a foreign language, though now I feel fluent enough to talk and put my view across.

Skill:
Over my practicums and throughout different courses B.T.I has not only given me
knowledge of what to teach but the pedagogy behind teaching that content. I have
been able to reflect on how I was taught, what I think teaching is with looking at the
role of student and the role of teacher as well as what is important to teach and how
to teach it meaningfully. I have enjoyed looking at the different learning styles, not
only have I picked up useful insight, but I have also gained understanding about
how I best work and operate as an educator and professional. I realise that every
child of God has giftings and talents and my passion is enabling students to
discover these and find security in who they are as individuals.
Final comment:
Through the past year I have had very meaningful assignments. Having just
completed Negotiated Inquiry has made the world of difference to how I view
myself and others. I now realise that through looking at multiple intelligences, that
everyone has a different set of skills. Our job as the teacher is to utelise these skills
and to help the child learn best using their giftings and talents. To me this falls under
being a holistic learner. This year and the past three years has been a real journey,
though now I can see that it has meet back where I started, though now I know who
I am as an educator and a little more about how to teach . Though there is a huge
uncertainty about where I will go and teach I feel safe and secure in the knowledge
that I am where I need to be now. I feel ready!