Reflection to the Kolb test

I discovered that I was an Assimilator.

While reading through the Learning Styles packet, I feel as if this is an accurate description of me. I do often seek the facts, and this point was made even more clear to me throughout this past election. I felt a strong desire to really explore the candidates of this past election; not only the presidential, but the senate race as well. I found myself not just listening to what the media had to say, MPR and more conservative stations, but also seeking out information myself in order to receive a less biased opinion. Because I work in the school district, I heard many democratic opinions. However, most of my outside friends are strong republicans. So, I couldn’t just take the opinion of those around me: I had to find the facts for myself, analyze them, and make my own choices. It forced me to vote a mixed ticket…something I hadn’t done before.

An assimilator also "enjoys the traditional classroom." Yes, that’s very true of me. While I dreaded beginning my masters because of the time it would take from my family life, I have found myself looking forward to classes. I love sitting in a classroom engaging in the academic discourse that I don’t get in my personal life. My husband is not in the field of education, and as far as work goes, we don’t discuss much beyond our daily turmoil and tribulations.

I also get a lot of self-satisfaction from my classes and even finishing my assignments (a goal of an Assimilator). A lot of teachers encouraged me not to get my masters in English, but instead to get my masters in education from the St. Mary’ s program. This, they said, would be easier and quicker. I’m so glad I chose the route I did. I do believe I chose the more difficult and longer path, but that I enjoyed and benefited from the process so much more.

I was a little surprised to read "are less interested in people than ideas and concepts." I was even kind of personally offended. Someone once told me that a teacher who wants to work with kids should seek to work in the elementary, a teacher who wants to work in their academic field should work in the high school, and a teacher who wants both should work in the junior high. That never seemed quite right (and this person probably did not work in a high school!). I do feel like I enjoy both aspects of the job—the kids just as much as the academic part, so I don’t know that this piece fits me. However, there are plenty of times outside my job when I hate the "touchy-feely /getting to know each other" stuff and want to get down to business! So maybe this piece nailed me better than I originally thought!