The thin line between CPD and neurosis

Posted on 02/12/2012 by alexcase

It’s difficult to argue with the fact that remaining critical about your teaching and constantly trying to improve is better than spending years churning out the same old crap. However, being constantly unsatisfied and always looking for things that you have done wrong would also be my layman’s definition of being neurotic. It’s a thin line to walk, and not one that I always do successfully…

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3 Responses to The thin line between CPD and neurosis

  1. Nick's avatar Nick says:
    03/12/2012 at 07:19

    I think I had the same problem. I thought it unethical and also mind numbingly boring to teach the same stuff once it started to feel stale, but coming up with new inspiring material wan’t easy. It usually required several hours of thinking time and preparation. I wasn’t also motivated to make my own material and often took the easy way out and just winged it from lesson to lesson.

    Some students did like this, but at times I thought I wasn’t really making an effort and would beat myself up over it. Teaching is a challenging job when you run your own school and care about your students. In the end, I asked students what they wanted and tired to give it to them.

    All the best with your teaching and I hope you get over your neurosis :-)

  2. claudia's avatar claudia says:
    03/12/2012 at 11:24

    I got my degree at a teacher training college in Argentina as a TEFL teacher. after four years of studying non stop I was happy to just teach. two years later I was burnt out. I started a CELTA course. It was so intensive. but it changed my teaching life forever. that was 2002. ten years later and after trying several times to create a teacher’s discussion/study/reflectin group and failing every time. I decided to go back to University to do a BA. today after the first semestre I feel happy but exhausted and there have been times when I felt I was better off reading teaching books on my own. On the other hand, studying has opened new doors and some windows so I am a bit neurotic. but CPD is not the cause but the cure. at least for me
    claudia

  3. alexcase's avatar alexcase says:
    04/12/2012 at 20:44

    Thanks for the comments. I feel less neurotic already!

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