Accepting Feedback

Accepting feedback, whether positive or critical is a crucial part of one’s growth and success  both at the professional and personal level. It is important to be open to feedback and to not be overly defensive even if you don’t always agree with it wholly. When I started work as an EA, I was aware that being new to the field, I should  be open to feedback. I was thankful that my colleagues and class teachers took the time to point out issues or strategies that would help me improve my skills as an EA. I made sure that I kept an open mind to all feedback – positive or negative as it is one of the fundamental ways to improve performance and efficiency.

I recall this one time when during my earlier days as a supply EA, I was supporting an SK student who eloped from class during transition to the gym. I was unaware of this tendency of his and was told by the teacher that I should apprise myself of the needs and behaviours of student before I come to the class to support them. I took this in the right spirit as student safety is paramount and made sure in future to be better informed. There have also been occasions when peers have encouraged me to pursue EA full time because of the connection they have seen with the students I support.

I have found that my willingness to take on board suggestions from colleagues also fosters a better work environment and this has made me more confident and better able to take on challenges faced at work. It is also important to do a self assessment to see how I have integrated the feedback in my strategies and to make sure I’m consistent at this. Overall I reiterate that accepting and working on feedback has been a vital part of my professional growth and success that I have experienced as an EA.