What I’ve Learned and How I Intend to Apply It
This module has helped me better understand the power of self-awareness and the importance of leveraging personal strengths with intention and integrity. After taking the strengths survey, I discovered that my top five strengths are Spirituality, Honesty, Creativity, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, and Perspective. These qualities deeply resonate with how I approach both life and teaching.
I also became aware of some of my lesser strengths—Love, Bravery, Humor, and Zest—which I am actively nurturing through practices like Ayurveda, mindfulness, and journaling. These tools are helping me grow in areas that require more attention, while staying grounded in my core values.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of using strengths to pursue goals without exploiting or overextending them. It’s about balance—knowing when to lead with a strength and when to step back and grow in other areas.
I plan to bring the strengths survey and mindfulness exercises into my classroom to help students better understand themselves, adapt to challenges, and move through adversity with grace and purpose. By fostering this kind of self-awareness and resilience, I hope to create a more compassionate and empowered learning environment.
I will bring the finding of strengths into the classroom for each student
I see even when I work with kids of special needs, they need to feel a since of fairness, honesty and kindness in the classroom for others.
The VIA model is new to me and i actually do my best to incorporate all virtues in my daily life (prior to watching these modules)
By identifying our core strength depression and anxiety can be less. Everyone has core strengths and a good instructor can help students identify their inner strengths. I plan on using this in my class.
Comment on Judith Bramble's post: I agree, focusing on the positive and looking intentionally to pay it forward gives a since of excitement and wonder to our often routine day.
Leverage your strengths and look for opportunities to affirm others.
I am going to implement the virtues into my daily work.
I thoroughly enjoyed this module. While I had heard of character strengths before, I wasn't fully aware of their significance in my teaching.
Play on your strengths to solve problems.
Using the VIA survey in class, and 6 virtues to build healthier class.
I really liked this section!! It was fun to read about character strength with how and when you built your lesser strengths while maintaining your everyday strength.
I need to plan on taking the VIA. This would be good info.
I had never heard of the VIA Institute before and plan to explore that more to potentially use it with my students in future activities. I know how important know your stengths and weaknesses can be in all areas of life.
Comment on john busi's post: I agree John, pushing through to solve a challenge can empower others to do the same. To be followed up with encouragement and revisit the learner on their accomplishment status.
I always try to leverage a strength to solve a problem, afterward I always try to keep the motivation up in people to continue but therein lines the problem. This aspect of teh course was interesting as it had you break down the core values and let you see where you fit in.
Knowing your personality strengths can lead to appreciating yourself and working on goals for the future.
I plan on using the exercise at the beginning of an assignment asking students to close their eyes and focus on their breathing/strengths.
I will be following this particular activity daily:
Challenge myself to practice the strength every day for one week. Also selecting a role model that posses a strength that I wish to develop.
I plan on putting VIA to use with my upcoming classes as well as introducing and sharing the Mindful Pause Exercise.
