What Type of Online Teacher Will You Be Based On Your Enneagram?

I should start by saying that I am not an Enneagram expert, nor are any of these types meant to define you. These are frameworks that can provide insight into how we think, work, and adapt, especially during these unusual circumstances. This exploration of Enneagram types is meant to highlight a few of the many strengths of teachers while providing helpful tips so you can be and feel your best while we’re away from our classrooms.

Which Enneagram type are you? How is this reflected in your distance teaching strengths and what areas for improvement should you look out for?

Type One: The Reformer

You are rational and idealistic. This means you plan ahead, you think logically under pressure and you always have your purpose at the forefront.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You are planned out for a couple of weeks at a time, maybe more!
• You know the purpose for assignments and you make that purpose clear with your students.
• You are calm in this new distance learning world and that helps both students and parents feel calm too.

Watch out for:

• Over planning - give yourself time to step back and make sure the work you’re moving towards is still aligned with what students need
• Perfectionism - nothing is going to be perfect. Remind yourself that students' achievements will not look the same as it did in the classroom, and that’s okay!
• Assigning too much for yourself or students - listen to your body and your mind. Give yourself breaks throughout the day. Listen to your students too. If they seem overwhelmed, slow down and focus on high quality work over introducing new work.

Type Two: The Helper

You are caring and loving. It is easy for you to show love to your students, even while you are away from the classroom and you are generously sharing and communicating with co-workers to make sure they feel good too.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You have found ways to build community through digital or distance learning (maybe you’re posting videos, or scheduling video chats with students)!
• You check-in with co-workers to make sure they are doing well too. They may not tell you, but this means a lot to them.
• You share your ideas with co-workers and teacher friends, and they look to you for guidance.

Watch out for:

• Burnout - giving of yourself endlessly can become difficult if you are not filling your own cup. Without the regular routine of the school day it can be hard to set boundaries. Be sure you are showing love to yourself too! Chocolates and a spa day sound nice.
• Feeling unhelpful - As you adjust to this new version of your teacher role, give yourself time to be you. You will not be able to serve your students and families in the same way you have and that’s okay. 
• Feeling lonely - You thrive off your connections and relationships. Give yourself space to focus on relationships outside of the school day. Call your friends, your parents or organize a virtual happy hour.

Type Three: The Achiever

Like your name, you are achievement oriented and you are skilled at solving problems. This means that you have taken on the challenge of distance learning with excitement, creativity, and with success in mind.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You are unafraid to try new things and build them into your curriculum! Other teachers are turning to you for new ideas!
• You include criteria for success for your students and this helps scaffold their work while you’re away from the classroom
• You believe in yourself, in your students and your co-workers; that we will come out of this situation stronger. Your belief empowers others to do their best.

Watch out for:

• Feelings of failure - This is new territory so everyone is going to make mistakes. Remember to be kind to yourself and foster a growth mindset just like we ask our students to do!
• Relying on your teacher identity - It can be easy to build your whole world around teaching, especially now that the school day and our home life are all mixed together. Remember to focus on yourself as a whole person. It is good to be a strong teacher, but that is not all that you are!
• Overwhelming students - Even if students are not meeting the exact expectations you have set, be sure to celebrate little achievements along the way so they feel empowered and engaged with the work they’re doing.

Type Four: The Individualist

You are sensitive and reflective. This means you understand yourself well and you are honest about your strengths and areas for improvement. You are perceptive about your students’ needs and your co-workers feelings.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You are transparent that you are new to distance learning and therefore, you’re learning alongside students and parents! This helps everyone feel comfortable giving feedback and asking questions.
• You are responsive to what students need and you find ways to differentiate or adapt your assignments and work to those needs.
• You take time and space to reflect on how you are doing in this new form of teaching, which helps you continue to grow.

Watch out for:

• Lack of feedback - without our mentors coming into our classroom, it can feel like we are making everything up as we go without any clear guidelines. The truth is, we are. But you can still ask your mentors (in your school or otherwise) for feedback during this time.
• Disconnecting - It can be easy to withdraw and disconnect from the people you might normally make time to see or talk to when you enjoy being by yourself. Make time to connect with friends and family!
• Self-criticism - When you’re reflecting, always make sure you celebrate yourself even as you see opportunities for growth. You can be your own harshest critic and that can actually stifle your growth.

Type Five: The Investigator

You are innovative and your focus is intense. You care deeply about finding ways for your students to be successful in this new learning environment, and you use your creativity to do so.

Distance learning strengths:

• You constantly seek answers to the question, “how can I better serve my students?” And you’ve found many ways to do that!
• While distance learning is not ideal, you creatively find solutions to challenges with excitement!
• You have built a toolbelt of new strategies and approaches to teaching that you can use both for distance learning and when you return to the classroom.

Watch out for:

• Trying to solve everything - Your focus on solutions can lead you to feel like you need to solve every problem. It’s okay to put down certain challenges, for example trying to get every student to turn in high quality work, and leave them for later.
• Too much information - You seek answers not only in the classroom, but also outside of teaching. It can be tempting to immerse yourself in all the news about COVID-19. Give yourself time away from the news and articles, and focus on seeking wisdom from other mediums.
• Keeping your ideas to yourself - Your focus can be so intense that you forget to share your brilliant ideas and collaborate with others. Reach out to other teachers so you can build off each other!

Type Six: The Loyalist

You are mission driven and will fight to ensure what you believe is right will be followed through. You have used your voice to ensure students are getting what they need and committed to advocating for your families.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You create resources for your students, but also make your resources open to other students at your school or even outside of your school community.
• You find ways for your school to serve families and students outside of simply providing education materials. Maybe you have helped with supplying food, resources or advocating for families who need more support. 
• You provide social emotional learning resources in addition to academic assignments and lessons because you recognize the importance of teaching the whole child.

Watch out for:

• Burn-out - You are giving so much of your care and time to your students and their families, which does not go unnoticed. Still, be sure to make time for you and your family. Take time to relax and do activities you enjoy.
• Feeling unsupported - With so much of your focus on helping others, you can feel unsupported. Remember to advocate for yourself. Let your leaders and family know what you need to feel supported.
• Quick Reactions - You are passionate about your beliefs and in times of stress that can lead you to react quickly. Take time to understand where someone else is coming from and assume the best intentions, especially with parents and administrators. Everyone is on the same team!

Type Seven: The Enthusiast

You are versatile in your abilities and you radiate positive energy. Your co-workers and students are excited to have you on their team, especially now and you are endlessly trying new things with them.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You explore new resources and platforms and you are unafraid to try new things with your students. Maybe you’ve started video posts on FlipGrid, or you’re trying discussions on Zoom.
• You find ways to help your students and co-workers stay positive by checking in and sharing positive posts, resources or challenges.
• You build community through the work you have your students do, even online. Maybe that means you host virtual hangouts, or you empower students to collaborate on work.

Watch out for:

• Setting a routine - You can get so excited about new resources and materials that you overwhelm yourself or your students. Set a consistent routine so both you and students know what to expect, and slowly incorporate new resources.
• Burn out - You are constantly sharing your positivity, but that can be exhausting for you. Make time to explore hobbies or interests and refill your own cup.
• Too many options - You can also become overwhelmed by all of your options. There are so many great resources out there! Remember that you can’t pick the wrong resources, but also focus on 1 or 2 and become an expert in them rather than trying to search through everything.

Type Eight: The Challenger

You are self-confident and decisive. Your confidence helps calm students and families and you keep your expectations for work during distance learning high, but achievable.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You make clear plans and communicate them to students and families right away. This has made the transition from classroom to distance learning smooth.
• You are unafraid to make big decisions for your class and school quickly, and others look to you for guidance.
• Your persistence in all you do helps you create exciting and new opportunities for your students during this time of distance learning.

Watch out for:

• Readjusting - You are a quick decision maker, but that doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind and readjust if your original plan isn’t working.
• Listening - When you are ready to make a decision, sometimes you can do so without listening to those around you who are slower to make a decision. Take time to listen to ideas that are not your own before making a final decision.
• Burn out - Making a lot of decisions can be exhausting. In this new space, be sure to take frequent breaks and give yourself time to relax and recharge.

Type Nine: The Peacemaker

You are relaxed and receptive to what others have to say. You are a calming presence and you have built your distance learning plan around the needs of both families and students.

Distance teaching strengths:

• You ask for feedback from your students and families and use it to make your distance learning work meaningful and engaging.
• You build a community of collaboration and calm by reminding students, families and co-workers that we will get through this difficult change by working together.
• Your optimistic attitude allows you to identify skills and strategies you are gaining from this unexpected change and that you can bring into the classroom.

Watch out for:

• Burn out - You are a thoughtful listener and are willing to change plans for others. Take your own thoughts and ideas into account when you’re making decisions too!
• Recharging - It can be hard to recharge when we are social distancing and giving so much to your students. Make time to talk to friends, and connect with family!
• Minimizing - Sometimes a calm demeanor can make others feel like you are minimizing their fears or concerns. Take time to validate how your students, families and co-workers are feeling, while still offering your calm and optimistic perspective.

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Mikaela Prego is an elementary educator from Massachusetts. She spent the last 3 years teaching 4th grade in Colorado, now she is back teaching in Massachusetts. Her favorite subjects to teach are math, science and social studies and she is a huge fan of putting the students in charge of as much of their learning as possible. You can follow her classroom (@whoareweintheworld) on Instagram.