Collaborating

I value collaborating with other teachers/professionals about ideas, issues, and strategies as it offers a different perspective, a different outlook, and can help in reminding one of something that might have gone over looked.  When I took the Myers-Briggs Personality test I was an ESFJ (extraverted 22%, sensing 25%, feeling 50%, judging 1%).  When dealing with people, in any situation, I feel it important to respect other people’s opinions and values regardless if they fit my own.  I believe people naturally gravitate toward others who encompass similarities to their own.  Having said this, when working in a school, I do feel it beneficial to get along with everyone.  Not being naïve, I realize this is not always the case.  However, if we have a better sense of other personality traits in people, I think we can better understand where someone is coming from and thus work together conflict free.  Some teachers love to share ideas, while many do not, just as some teachers are out-going while many are quiet and enjoy alone time.  Regardless of what personality type you are, in order to be happy, I feel a person should do what is right for them.  If that means collaborating with fellow colleagues about new ideas and how to keep students engaged, then that is what one should do.  On the other hand, if someone is more inclined to work individually on creating new concepts, so be it.  I decided to take the realistic approach with this question  meaning it is impossible for everyone to get along all the time.  I do however feel that an open-mind is critical when working with others.