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Character is defined as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

Banner and Cannon's book entitled 'The Elements of Teaching," has a chapter examining the characteristics of teachers, both positive and negative. In the opening paragraphs, the authors make a distinction between personality and character, saying that a person cannot fashion personality, while characteristics are malleable. Initially, an onset of confusion became prevalent, since the authors did not digress into the difference between personality and character. Personality is defined as the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character. Such traits of personality include; funny, optimistic, serious, lazy, energetic, confident, negative, shy, etc.. Characteristics take more time to identify, and seem to have more depth for this reason. Such characteristics could be kindliness, virtue, honesty, greed, etc. The qualities of a persons character are subject to mature change over time, while personality traits are innate qualities. The authors discuss how it is important for teachers, especially new teachers, not to adapt "teaching personalities," which are unlike their true personalities. In order to be a successful teacher one must embrace their own true personalities, rather than acting, or masking their personality traits behind adopted teaching personalities. "The classroom is not a stage, and those who feel obliged to assume different characteristics in order to be effective in it should probably not be teachers in the first place." This quote was taken from the book and I think is a blatant contradiction of what is being discussed. The authors discuss how character must remain constant and authentic, leaving little room varying mood. In the beginning of the chapter, there was a brief paragraph discussing teaching styles of the past, specifically styles with much malice and malcontent. Presently, teachers have had to become more accommodating to the emotions of their students by teaching good humor, congeniality, and tolerance. Can you still be a great teacher without adopting the present day style of teaching? In order to be a good teacher, do not play the role of someone you are not. Banner and Cannon conclude this chapter by discussing certain characteristics that all teachers should possess. These characteristics include authenticity, consistency, humanity, sociability, and individuality. The ancient Greeks rationalized individualism by comparing it to coins made by a coin maker, stating that although similar, each coin has unique flaws that may or may not be present in other coins. I strongly agree with characteristics discussed in the previous paragraph, especially the rationalization of individualism within the defined parameters of an influential teacher. There are topics discussed about personality and character that I do not completely agree with, however my thoughts may be stifled due to lack of knowledge in the field of psychilogy.

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