Introvert, Extrovert! Or Ambivert?

Most of us already know what an introvert and an extrovert is but just in case for thoughs of you who don’t know.

Introvert: someone who gets there energy from spending time alone. They are deep thinkers and enjoy reading a good book.

Extroverts: someone who gets there energy from other people. Loves social outings and being in groups of people.

Now that we have that settled lets talk about this third one, Ambivert. Ambivert is a mixture of both extrovert and introvert, they enjoy being around other people and even need to, but also value time spent alone.

So which one of the 3 do you fall in to?

Contrary to common belief they are not really 3 categories but more of a scale introvert being on one side, extrovert on the other side and ambivert being in the middle.

Introvert-----------------------------------Me---------Ambivert--------------------------------------------Extrovert

For me personally I find myself to be an ambivert but leaning to introvert. (see scale above)

Here are a list of characteristics of an extrovert 

   ·         Assertive

   ·         Talkative

   ·         Easy to approach

   ·         Has many friends

   ·         Energized by being around people

   ·         Like to go to parties

   ·         Expressive

  

Here is a list of characteristics of an introvert

   ·         Private

   ·         Independent

   ·         Likes to be alone

   ·         Thinks before they speak

   ·         Quiet

   ·         Energized by alone time

   ·         Fewer but closer friends

You still may not know where you are on the scale but in the end all that matters is if your being yourself. God made you exactly the way he wants you to be and has a plain for your life. As long as you love God and you are following him with all your heart it does not matter if your introvert ambivert or extrovert you still have a purpose on this earth. And that is to serve and love God and others.  

Poverty in the Classroom

Teaching is one of the most important professions out there due to the influence they have on raising up the next generation. It is the responsibility of the teacher to not just teach, but to care for and nurture each and every student in a creative learning environment. Each teacher has their own unique teaching style, but it is important to keep the student involved. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." In order for the student to truly learn and understand, they must also feel involved and important.

As you may know there are some students that seem to be unruly or completely uninterested in learning altogether. But instead of getting upset or angry at them, we should first seek to understand why this behavior occurs. As artist and educator Josef Albers once said, “Good teaching is more a giving of right questions than a giving of right answers.” So why do some students exhibit these sorts of behaviors? We believe it is an issue of poverty.

Now the question should be what is poverty? Many believe it is merely a lack of food, clothing, or money. But we argue it goes much deeper than that. To explain what we mean by this we can look at an article written by blogger Harinath Pudipeddi. Harinath argues that there are 7 basic types of poverty. His groups and definitions for them are as follows:

1.      “Economic Poverty - Lack of monitory demands for providing themselves with Food, Cloth and Shelter. Please note that money need for only the mentioned attributes falls under this category.”

2.      “Bodily Poverty - Lack of property physical health and access to health living conditions.”

3.      “Mental Poverty - Lack of thinking, which is resultant of lack of access to education and knowledge.”

4.      “Cultural Poverty - Lack of coming together in a society. No collaborative activities taking place which leads to disconnect between people.”

5.      “Spiritual Poverty - surprising right? Yes, lack of feeling of togetherness/brotherhood plays an important role in bringing people together.”

6.      “Political Poverty - Lack of understanding of how system works. The basic problem is the understanding of how to cast one's vote and elect their leader. “

7.      “Societal Poverty - Lack of social connectivity”
           

So our next big question is; what does poverty look like in your classroom? Poverty can be manifested in many different ways:

   ·         Lack of participation

   ·         Lack of social interaction

   ·         Lack of basic social skills

   ·         Anger

   ·         Constant sleepiness

   ·         Irritability

   ·         Bad hygiene

   ·         Bullying issues

   ·         Constant disobedience towards authority

With these things in mind, we now need to know how to properly care for and teach these students. Here are three main ways you can do this:

*Come to Understand Their Situation*

Put yourself in their shoes. It may sound like a cliché, but it is extremely important. The better you understand the situation the student is in, the better equipped you will be in knowing how to teach them.

*Be Encouraging, Not Critical*

            Although constructive criticism is good in some cases, remember that honey is sweeter than vinegar. You can correct while still being kind, and for any kid that is a really important factor in their development. Stay positive and patient.

*Be Consistent*

            This is a key factor. If you aren’t consistent in your own behavior and actions, people, especially students, won’t know what your expectations are of them, and they will have issues in trusting you. “Let your yes be simply yes, and your no be simply no” (Amplified Version, Matt. 5.37).

*Be Involved*

            Show interest in the students. Communication is also very important here. Your responsibility to your students doesn’t just stop inside the classroom. Be involved and communicate with the parents. Doing this also helps in understanding your students further.

With all these things in mind you can come to better understand the reality of poverty, and how it affects the classroom setting. We hope this information is useful to you and are very thankful to you as teachers for what you do. Thank you.

Works Cited

Pudipeddi, Harinath. "7 Types of Poverty." : 7 Types of Poverty. N.p., 4 Aug. 2007. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

7 things men need to hear often

Alright men its your turn.  Here are 7 ways we can lift up our men.

   1)      You are right

Every guy I know wants to hear they are right, so ladies as hard as it may be to say your wrong, tell a guy when he is right; except when he is wrong don’t lie.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

    but fools  despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 3:7

 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and shun evil.

   2)      You are needed

Every guy needs to know that he is needed, because each and every one of them are needed. They each bring something interesting and useful to this world. So whether it be, “ I don’t know what I would do without you”, or ”I need your help with this thing over here.” Let them know how much you need them in your life.

Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Romans 12:6-8

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

   3)      You are Strong

You might not be the captain of the football team or the award winning weight- lifter, but you might be the strongest man a woman knows. Also  it isn’t all about muscle, but also about character. A man with a good strong character is a man many people will follow.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 29:11

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

   4)      Thank you for (insert chivalrous task)

When a man does something nice such as open the door for you, pull out the chair for you,  or carries that heavy box, say thank you.  Simple as that.

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

   5)      I Trust you

If you trust a man tell him you trust him and why. Men love to know when they are trusted.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 37:3

 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

  6)      You look good today

Yep, even guys want to know when they look good.  Meaning, who wouldn’t feel good after being told you look good today.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

   7)      You’re worth dying for.

Everyone, yes even you, are worth dying for. Jesus came 2,000 years ago to die for you, so that you can have eternal life. Don’t ever forget that.

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image,

    in the image of God he created them;

    male and female he created them.

Romans 3:23

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 1:9

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 14:2-3

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.