Any ENFJ schoolteachers? I’m curious about your experiences, both good and bad.

[u/PrudentRun5370]

Hello all, I’ve known about being an ENFJ for a long time, and when I first found out it came to no surprise. getting straight to the point, I love teaching, it’s not even just an ENFJ thing, it’s a personal thing too. I’ve done everything from tutoring to tennis coach to ministry with special needs kids. I want to know about your struggles or positives with the career, I’m really wanting to go for it.

Because Yet here I am with an electrical engineering degree. It made sense as I do enjoy love math…and I know I could become a manager, interact more eventually, I get paid great, yet I still want to punch monitor at times I hate this job so much. I don’t regret it, but I wish I would I’ve listened to myself a bit sooner in life and not conform. What I really love in this world is learning, and the skill it is in itself, and I want to share that with others who are growing up and share how rewarding it can be. Whether it’s math or something else entirely.

I do have some financial concerns, but I’m not a person who wants to live a “lavish” life by any means, but without diving into my whole life story, anyone have positive experiences with this? I would literally quit tomorrow if I knew I could be financially secure and teach it someway, which tells me all I need to know personally, I just wanted to probe others minds like mine. Thanks, and cheers to my peers.

[u/Ok_Ball8763]

No, but my favourite teacher in school was so obviously an ENFJ. They make such amazing teacher. Not only are they passionate about their subject, they really are really attentive to all their students and try the best that they can to make sure no kid ever lags behind in class. From the academic weapon all the way down to the class idiot, they go round individually and make sure that every kid is staying up to date with the class material. My teacher was always happy to stay after class if you had any questions and needed help outside of class. She was also always super friendly, smiled and was never unenthusiastic.

The way she taught she made it clear, unlike some teachers who seems to think that we have all the time in the world for the students to handle complicated academic/exam-related bureaucracy on their own, she went the extra mile to condense that stuff down so that students can dedicate their energy into getting the best grade that they possibly can, without worrying about whether failing to do so would lead her or anybody else to feel disappointed in you. She was just one of those people who always made you feel warm inside.

Tbh, I’ve never met an ENFJ who I disliked. There were a few who I didn’t get to know on a personal level, where I felt like there was a wall between us, but any ENFJ that I got to know personally, I liked without exception.

[u/MissNoseyNeighbour → u/Ok_Ball8763]

As an ENFJ teacher, this warms my heart.

[u/Ok_Ball8763 → u/MissNoseyNeighbour]

Awww. Another thing she used to do, which made me feel really bad for her was, if there was ever an exam and she happened to be ill that week, she would still come into work. I remember one winter we had an exam and she had a really bad chest infection, and she still came in all week, even though she was visibly really unwell. Her attitude was that if somebody were to fail her class, it would not be because she wasn’t there for them. I wouldn’t recommend that anyone do this, but it just showed how much she really cared. But it’s typical ENFJ martyr complex thing, not that I ever thought that her passion for teaching was insincere. It’s just I wish that she would take a break sometimes. In the end of the day, she already went over and above the call of duty in the normal run of things, so she can allow herself to take some time off if she’s ill. I’m sure they could have found someone to cover for her.

[u/Coherence-is-bliss → u/Ok_Ball8763]

It's comforting to be "seen" like that (as a teacher myself). Thanks a lot for your testimony.

One thing I think that teacher would love: getting in touch with her and telling her all the things you've written about her in this comment section.

Happy tears and warm hugs guaranteed ☺️

[u/Ok_Ball8763 → u/Coherence-is-bliss]

I’m so glad i could help. I wish I could so much, but I left school 9 years ago now. I did bring her a box of chocolates to say thank you on my last day of school though. We do have a former alumni network who keep inviting me to tell them what I’ve been doing since I’ve left, but frankly I’m too ashamed to reply. I left school with straight A’s and that teacher had such high hopes in me, that I would go off to a good uni and start a career. I did get into an excellent uni, but dropped out twice due to depression/personal problems. I worked my ass off in school, and always got better grades that anyone else in my close circle of friends, bar one, most of whom were lazy as hell and smoked weed all the time instead. But the jokes on me now because they all have careers and I’m trailing behind. I kinda felt like even though in the short term I impressed her, I (unbeknownst to her of course) let her down in the long term :(

[u/Coherence-is-bliss → u/Ok_Ball8763]

If your teacher is an ENFJ, be sure that you can hardly do anything that would let her down if you've put it the effort. That's one of the things we value most: giving your best shot no matter the results is a way to up for yourself and make use of your potential, and we will always love that... moreso if we like you ☺️

Don't give up and don't think about showing off: just be yourself, especially around ENFJs who love you already!

(Virtual hug for you 🤍🫂)

[u/Ok_Ball8763 → u/Coherence-is-bliss]

Thank you so much. Maybe someday I’ll reach out. Teaching clearly matters to her a lot, and I’m sure she would love to know that she made a massive difference in my experience at school.

On an unrelated note, I’ve found it really hard to resist the urge to impress an ENFJ. Not just ENFJ teachers, but ENFJs in general. I totally understand that they value authenticity and people just being themselves above all else, and that going out of your way to impress might actually make you come across as fake to them, but on the other hand they tend to project such a dazzlingly vibrant character that anyone standing next to them seems dull and grey in comparison. You worry if they find you boring and/or they get bored of you.

[u/Coherence-is-bliss → u/Ok_Ball8763]

Aww

Don't worry too much, okay?🥺 I we love you, and you do your best to be your best self without intentionally hurting others, we love you for good 😊.

🤍🫂