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Detailed Thoughts about Quality Characteristics |
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Compassion without Condescension The young men and women I teach will need compassion without condescension. I wish to provide this support others have given and continue to give me. Compassion, though akin to pity, is so much more. It involves empathy, love, understanding, and even a bit of helplessness, which is good for keeping one grounded in reality. |
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Hard Work with Cheerfulness Teaching is difficult yet rewarding. I have never turned away from hard work and wish to continue that trend. Still, it would be nice to be cheerful about one’s work. A good work ethic is nice but less apparent if one walks around in a cloud of anger, despair, exhaustion, and/or apathy. I don’t expect to be full of false or even genuine smiles, but I wish for a quiet peace which will speak of contentment with the work I have chosen. |
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Respect with Dignity Respect is something everybody seeks. It is something to be given and earned. Those who seek too hard we call arrogant; those who seek too subtly we call shy. Sometimes, I think the world in general holds the teaching profession in contempt, but no matter, I will still seek to earn respect from my superiors, peers, and students. Right or wrong, there is a naturally hierarchy which has the potential to be beneficial but can too often be abused. |
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Integrity Always Integrity, as applied to persons, can be defined as adherence to a moral code. I’ve always viewed it as being honest in everything. It differs from sincerity though in that integrity contains more noble strength and applies more to oneself than others. My moral “code” has been shaped by many things and usually entails conducting myself in a respectful and honorable manner. |
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Sincerity in Everything Sincerity, though it can apply to the self, has more to do with treating others well. I view it as a sense of innocent honesty which dictates that dealings with others should always be sincere. Others will learn to trust one quicker if they see sincerity. It can also be dangerous in that some might take advantage, but as much as others can quickly cut one down, they’ll still appreciate sincerity. |
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Tenacity for Seeking Truth Truth is probably the most elusive, treasured, sought, and feared of all ideas. Truth is something well worth seeking, even should it prove difficult to find. Even if one cannot find the right words to define it, truth matters. There are absolute truths; discovering them can be the adventure of a lifetime. |