It is difficult being a teacher, or even studying to become one.

It has a lot of

responsibility, and you have to be able to live up to the standards, rules and

requirements even when you are not on the job. Each individual brings different skills

into the classroom and according to Seligman Strengths questionnaire my top three

strengths in order were gratitude, open-mindedness and integrity.

In some cases we are with the children for more time then their parents are. Not

only do we teach them knowledge, we teach basic life skills such as kindness, honesty,

and creativity to name a few. It is important that we are professional around the

students and teach in a way that inspires positive attitudes. It is important to show

appreciation and thank people for doing something for us, we must teach these

principles in our classroom. We can show the students that it feels good to do

something for someone else, and it is awesome to have someone else help you out

while you are struggling. Since my top strength was gratitude I believe that if I

incorporate a thanking initiative within the classroom, where each student helps at least

one person a day, and they all exchange their appreciate for one another, the classroom

will have a positive and accepting learning environment for all.

Within our teaching careers we will encounter students of many different races,

ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexual orientations among others. It is important to be

accepting of everyone and able to have an open mind in regards to change. Being able

to adapt to change is a major requirement in the teaching profession, especially with

how quickly technology and the curriculum progress. I think of myself as open-minded

and the questionnaire determined it to be my second strength. With this strength I will
apply it to my teaching in the classroom and involve the students in new elements so

the material never gets boring. With this concept learning will become infectious and

school will cease being a mundane activity.

One of the most obvious things when being in school is being honest. Honesty

surrounds us everywhere. It strengthens relationships, friendships, and bonds with

peers, teachers, loved and ones. It shows that you complete your own work, and honest

people tend to be surrounded by other honest people. Honesty starts from when you

are born, and develops as we age. If we are not taught to be honest from a young age it

becomes harder to learn when we get older. Thus honesty needs to be taught in

classrooms. My parents always taught me the only thing you have in this world is your

word, and if you abandon that you have nothing. Even if it is hard to tell someone the

truth it must be done, and I have done that since I was a child. When everyone is honest

with each other, everything is out on the table and nothing is hidden, integrity is a

valued strength to teach the students of our classes.

I think that the strengths that the questionnaire told me I have can be readily

applied to the concept of flow and savor in this weeks reading. One of the strategies to

become happier with flow is to be open to different experiences, and with open-

mindedness being a top strength, I think that I adapt well to change and I am open to

new ideas frequently. I also think that gratitude can be applied when Lyubomirsky talks

about savoring and reminiscing with family and friends. When we spend time with loved

ones we are immediately expressing gratitude. This is very important to achieve

meaningful happiness.