How can I use knowledge of the learner to be a better teacher?

If we first understand how WE learn, it will be easier to understand that not everyone learns in the same manner and that we need to utilize different skills to reach different students. Much as with the posts in "How to start thinking like a teacher" we need to begin to think in more critical terms of the professors that we have and teachers that we observe. We need to do this not only to find the style that would work best for us, but also identify those that we have no intention of ever emulating.

One thing to keep in mind is that we don't only learn from the teachers/professors that we like. We also learn, and some would say more, from those that we don't like and those that we have to work harder with. These teachers remind us how we DON'T want to teach or how we don't want to respond to our students when the time comes. Does that mean these teachers are not 'good' teachers or effective teachers, absolutely not. As the saying goes, "one man's junk is another man's treasure". Those teachers that just sort of rub us the wrong way, may in fact inspire the next generation of teachers or inspire someone that observes them, both in a positive and negative way.

As we begin our student teaching we need to recognize the opportunities to teach in different manners, lectures or power points or a combination of teaching methodologies that will reach a broader cross section of students and begin developing our own styles and approaches. As we receive feedback know that both positive and negative feedback is meant solely to make us better teachers and that is a learning experience. These learning experiences will help to shape us into better teachers and as learners we need to be open to those criticisms and praises.

Does anyone have any fear of being in front of a classroom, other than the obvious?