Wednesday, June 10, 2009

DISC for Educators

Here's what I'm thinking about these days...
Motherhood is serious business. Using DISC as a parent has been, as I've said for years, revolutionary for me. But as my children grow, the circle of people that have a direct impact on their daily lives is widening. Naturally. I arm my children with basic personality literacy so that they can navigate the world without me... we all have to deal with D's sooner or later. But I'm trying to increase my own circle of influence and educate others on DISC and I can't think of a better place than within the education system. These are the people who get the hours of the day with my children that I don't get. It's not easy giving a virtual stranger 6 hours of my 7 year old's day. 6 hours! So I was thinking, what if educators were trained in DISC? Imagine... instead of frustration over my headstrong child's dogmatism, a teacher would instead see a natural born leader and help her develop and refine that gift. Imagine... instead of overlooking my sweet, quiet, shy child who never gives a moment's worry, a teacher pays closer attention and makes sure that child understands the lesson or helps to draw that child out in social situations. Imagine... instead of impatience with my outgoing, energetic little Tigger, a teacher has a greater tolerance for his natural enthusiasm and channels it in appropriate directions. Imagine... instead of exasperation over my analytical, detail oriented, asks-so-many-questions-she-can-make-your-gums-bleed child, a teacher recognizes a student with a thirst for knowledge and information. Imagine... an educator with a classroom full of children with all of these personality types who knows how to better develop individual children's strengths and to use those strengths to improve the learning environment. People who teach and influence our children have the power to change the world. Oooo! That'd be a great book title!