Sometimes referred to as “mediators” or “healers,” INFPs are idealists guided by core values and beliefs. Consequently, INFPs are seldom concerned with the mundane of everyday life and adherence to a stagnate status quo. So can INFPs make great teachers?
INFPs can make great teachers, provided they are allowed to get to know their students on a personal level and teach a subject they are passionate about. However, some INFPs struggle to collaborate with others or teach finer details to students.
Before we look at the personality traits of INFPs to determine if they can make great teachers; let’s first examine what personality traits make a good teacher and then cross-reference them with the strengths and weaknesses of INFPs:
What Personality Traits Make A Good Teacher?
There are eight personality traits that make good teachers:
- Teachers must be strong communicators,
- Teachers must be good listeners,
- Teachers must be collaborators,
- Teachers must be adaptable,
- Teachers must be engaging,
- Teachers must be empathetic,
- Teachers must have patience,
- Teachers must value real-world learning.
1. Teachers Must Be Strong Communicators
Teachers need to be strong and confident communicators. A strong communicator is essential for conveying abstract concepts to children and earning their respect.
2. Teachers Must Be Good Listeners
Teachers are expected to be open to academic questions, as well as more significant social concerns children may face at school. Therefore, teachers need to be good listeners to understand the issues at hand.
3. Teachers Must Be Collaborators
Although teachers often teach, mark, and set coursework by themselves, they are expected to collaborate with other staff and faculty members during their careers.
4. Teachers Must Be Adaptable
Because teachers are expected to teach different classes, and school years during their careers, often across multiple schools, teachers need to be adaptable.
5. Teachers Must Be Engaging
Teachers need to be engaging and passionate about their subjects. Failure to capture children’s attention and convey your passion for learning means students are unlikely to apply your lessons to their knowledge.
6 Teachers Must Be Empathetic
Because teachers have to deal with the academic and social challenges facing children, they need to be empathetic and understand the viewpoint/perspective of children to help them overcome any difficulties they may be facing.
7. Teachers Must Have Patience
Many children find it challenging to learn and apply knowledge without repetition and multiple explanations, which may include numerous questions and revision sessions. Therefore, teachers need to be patient with their students.
8. Teachers Must Value Real-World Learning
Teachers must expand their classes and lessons to include real-world applications. Doing so helps children learn abstract concepts while having real-world skills/knowledge they can use in their daily lives.
What Are INFP Strengths?
There are six strengths INFPs typically possess:
- INFPs are empathetic,
- INFPs are generous,
- INFPs are open-minded,
- INFPs are creative,
- INFPs are passionate,
- INFPs are idealistic.
1. INFPs Are Empathetic
INFPs are deeply empathic people that enjoy understanding others and their viewpoints so that they can be of assistance to them while building positive, long-lasting friendships
2. INFPs Are Generous
INFPs are generous people because they don’t enjoy succeeding if their success comes at the expense or detriment of others.
3. INFPs Are Open-Minded
INFPs are fascinated and passionate about grand abstract ideas like justice, fate, love, hope, and ambition. Consequently, they are open-minded, creative people that enjoy hearing the thoughts and opinions of others while testing their belief systems.
4. INFPs Are Creative
Although INFPs are concerned with grander truths and discoveries, they often engage with serious topics in fun and exciting ways. Consequently, INFPs tend to be creative people.
5. INFPs Are Passionate
While INFPs may be introverted, they are passionate people that enjoy pushing their creative and logical skills to the limit when faced with ideas/challenges that interest them.
6. INFPs Are Idealistic
INFPs have a strong sense of self and adherence to different belief systems. Consequently, INFPs will strive toward their goals and ambitions, even when faced with immense hardship and impossible odds!
What Are INFP Weaknesses?
There are six weaknesses INFPs typically possess
- INFPs are unrealistic,
- INFPs are self-isolating,
- INFPs are unfocused,
- INFPs are emotionally vulnerable,
- INFPs are people pleasers,
- INFPs are self-critical.
1. INFPs Are Unrealistic
As the negative side of their idealism, INFPs are often unrealistic people who lose sight of the finer details in their exploration of the bigger picture.
2. INFPs Are Self-Isolating
As introverts, most INFPs prefer to work alone and do not enjoy collaborating with others, especially if that collaboration involves topics that don’t interest them.
3. INFPs Are Unfocused
Because INFPs do not enjoy stressing over finer details but prefer pursuing topics that interest them, they can become unfocused and disorganized.
4. INFPs Are Emotionally Vulnerable
While INFPs are not known for being particularly social people, they do exhibit a lot of empathy when they decide to open up to others. Consequently, INFPs often leave themselves in positions where they are left emotionally vulnerable.
5. INFPs Are People Pleasers
INFPs do not enjoy conflict, instead opting for peace and harmony. Unfortunately, this pursuit of peace and balance means that INFPs may be uncomfortable scolding and/or reprimanding people, even when it is deserved.
6. INFPs Are Self-Critical
INFPs believe in their unique potential and ability to engage with complex thoughts and ideas. However, INFPs often put themselves under enormous pressure in pursuit of such lofty goals, which can manifest into self-doubt and criticism.
Can INFPs Become Good Teachers?
While any personality type can become a good teacher, some are better suited for a career in education than others. Fortunately, despite being introverted people, passionate INFPs that can form connections with their students make excellent teachers!
However, some INFPs struggle to discipline students, engage with other staff/faculty members and explain finer details to students.
Consequently, INFPs looking to pursue a career in teaching should ensure they have reserved social energy for faculty meetings and take the time to unpack their thoughts and ideas into smaller chunks for children to understand during lessons.
Conclusion
In conclusion, INFPs exhibit a unique combination of empathy, passion, creativity, and knowledge, which allows them to be great teachers, even though they can be introverted and disorganized.
