Nurturing Extroverted and Introverted Energies in the Classroom

I knew teaching was for me when I realized I loved being surrounded by dozens of bouncing first graders. Hair pulling? Jump roping? Screaming, singing, running, dancing? Multiplied by twenty kids?  Bring it on

The more energy, the better. I thought I would be missing out on that energy by switching to teaching high school. ​Boy was I wrong about that. Turns out, my high school students are the most energetic people to be around. 

"Ms. Tsai  can I put the answer on the board?? Ms. Tsai DID YOU HEAR ME???" - An enthusiastic senior 

"MS. TSAI!!!!" runs up to the smart board "Can I write the answer on the board??" another kid runs up too "NO I want to do it! You already had a turn!" - A competitive student and his friend 

"Ms. Tsai. MS. TSAI!!! MS. TSAI!!!" I turn around and acknowledge the student "Guess what, I FINALLY get it" Ok great, thanks for interrupting me to tell me that  - That kid who was throwing pencils at the ceiling a week ago 

Yep, my teenagers are enthusiastic to say the least. It's a myth that high school students are too cool for school or too old to play in class.  Although I'm motivated by my students' enthusiasm, their excitement can also be exhausting when thirty teenagers are all radiating their energy at the same time. After being around their energy all day, I feel totally wiped by the time 3 pm rolls around. Sometimes I'll come home at 4:00, fall asleep at 4:30, and wake up again at 6:30 just to recharge. The fact that I love teaching speaks to my extroverted side. I feel energized and motivated when I'm around my students. The energy is contagious and lifting. At the same time, I feel energetically drained by the end of the day. People who know me assume I'm 100% extroverted. Teaching has taught me that I'm actually 1/2 extroverted and 1/2 introverted. 

Extroversion is the ability to absorb energy from outside sources (i.e. other people, energetic environments, concerts, parties...) 

Introversion is the ability to draw energy from internal sources (i.e. alone time, yoga, meditation...) 

The reality is.....school is exhausting for both teachers and students. Introverted students struggle even more to stay focused and energized throughout a typical chaotic school day. It's no wonder why so many students complain of being exhausted. In order to reach and support as many students as possible, teachers should find ways to energize their students' extroverted AND introverted energies. 

Here's what's worked well for me so far. 

Strategies for nurturing extroverted energy in students

• Playing games in class that involve movement (i.e. "wa" and zip-zap-zop). I find that students (especially those with ADHD) are especially focused after the game is over. 
• Play competitive team-based games like Quizlet Live
• Incorporating group work in class. Encourage kids to work with people they know less well. 

Strategies for nurturing introverted energy in students

• Nap time. Sometimes I'll turn off the lights and tell my students to "nap" for five minutes (this could look like putting their head down or sitting quietly on their phone for five minutes). It feels good to recharge this way for many students. 
• Aromatherapy. I have an essential oils diffuser in my classroom, and my students love it! The smell of the essential oils keeps everybody focused and calm (and the students have fun guessing what the scent of the day is) 
• Quiet note taking. Note taking gives introverted students a chance to learn in a quiet environment (which is hard to come by when you've got 30 students crowded in a small room together!) 
• Hold class outside . Being outside is relaxing, refreshing, and not as noisy as learning in a cramped classroom. 

Lots of colors and Kevin the fish helps to create a soothing environment

The reality is most people are a blend of introversion and extroversion. Almost all of us need to be around others in order to feel energized, but we also need quiet/alone time to ourselves. In a society that privileges extroversion, it's important to consider and include all ways of nurturing energy when building a safe classroom environment for all students. ​