Do Not Try to Change Yourself or Others; You Are Unlikely to Succeed

Abstract

The ancient Greeks proclaimed, “Know thyself.” This prescript is particularly critical in the educational arena because no pedagogical tool can serve a teacher or a student who lacks self-knowledge. Effective educators understand that only by knowing and capitalizing on their own and students' strengths can they achieve true excellence. Unfortunately, many of us focus on repairing weaknesses rather than using our strengths to their greatest advantage. For preservice and in-service teachers, the controlling insight that bears repeating is this: Do not try to change your students or yourself; you are unlikely to succeed. Rather, learn and play up to your and others' strengths for true classroom success.