Understanding the 9 Teacher Enneagram Types

By Kirsten Hammond

You may have heard of the Enneagram – the trending and fun (and scarily accurate) personality test.

This blog post is going into our teacher world with Enneagram for Teachers! I will be giving you some insights on your Enneagram type with a teacher twist on your strengths, weaknesses, and ways to be your best teacher self. 

I wanted to create this blog post as a spin off on one of my best-selling resources – Enneagram for Big Kids!

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If you don’t know your Enneagram type already, you can go online to take a free Enneagram personality test (google search: free enneagram test).Personality Path is free and requires no email!

Teacher Enneagram Personality Types

Type 1: The Reformer

Your strengths are planning out your lessons ahead of time and knowing the purpose and objectives of your lessons and activities. You also know how to make those objectives clear for your students.

Some weaknesses are that you might overplay it a little bit and could be classified as a perfectionist.

In order to be your best teacher self, remind yourself and your students that nothing is a 100% perfect. Give yourself some breaks. If your students are looking bored or aren’t getting it, be sure to slow down for them.

the reformer

Type 2: The Helper

Your strengths are that you love to help your students. You love to build strong relationships with them and your coworkers. You also love to have a positive classroom environment.

Some weaknesses are that you might give too much of yourself to others, and it might be a little hard for you to set somebody.

In order to be your teacher self, give yourself some love and focus on some relationships outside of the school. 

the helper

Type 3: The Achiever

Your strengths are being skilled at problem solving, believing in yourself, your students and your coworkers, not being afraid to try new things or curriculum that admin might throw at you, and having some really great ideas that teachers love to hear.

Some weaknesses are that you are afraid to fail. You might rely too much on your teacher identity and you might be a little overwhelming with students with your high expectations  for them.

To be your best teacher self, be kind to yourself and make sure you manage that work-life balance. Balance as much as you can. Also make sure to help your students feel loved and celebrated.

the achiever

Type 4: The Individualist

Your strengths are being responsive to student needs. You differentiate accordingly, you’re quirky, creative, and you stay true to yourself.

Some weaknesses are that you might withdraw and be disconnected with your students. You might dislike your lack of feedback. You also might be self-critical. 

Some best ways to be your best teacher self are to be sure to connect with your family, friends, and students, and also make sure you are transparent and honest with your students.

the individualist

Type 5: The Investigator

You love to find ways to help your students succeed. And you have a ton of great strategies in the classroom. 

Some weaknesses of yours are that you might try to solve every problem on your own. You might need to know the answer to everything, or you might have really great ideas that you keep to yourself.

My recommendations to be your best teacher self are to connect with other teachers  and let go of certain challenges in the classroom, such as if students might be acting out. Give them a little bit of grace!

the investigator

Type 6: The Loyalist

Your strengths here are serving and reaching out to students and parents, and building relationships in a positive classroom environment. You make sure students are getting what they need socially, behaviorally, and academically.

But your weaknesses are that you might have a risk of burnout. You might not feel supported by admin. You might end up overreacting to students or teachers or parents.

To be your best teacher self,  take time to relax, let your admin know you need to feel supported and be on the same page with them, and then work as a team – work smarter and not harder.

the loyalist

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Your strengths are having positive energy. You’re really great at checking in with your teammates and students.

You love to build a fun and positive atmosphere and you love to try new things, but a weakness is that you might end up being overwhelmed with too many options and you may not have a consistent routine.

The ways to be your best teacher self is to have a consistent routine and make sure to fill up your own cup, not just others.

the enthusiast

Type 8: The Challenger

Your strengths are setting high expectations for students. You’re not afraid to make big decisions for your class, and you are really great at smooth transitions and expectations for your students.

With weaknesses, you might have a harder time shifting plans when things aren’t going the way you planned, and you might have a hard time listening to other decisions and justifying other things.

To be your best teacher self, be sure to listen to other perspectives and don’t be afraid to readjust or give yourself time to recharge.

the challenger

Type 9: The Peacemaker 

Your strengths are building a positive relationship with students and families and teachers. You love to keep the peace. You have a positive attitude, even when things around you are a dumpster fire (like this whole school year).

Your weaknesses might be that you change plans for others and give to students and others before yourself. And you may be a little too calm.

The best ways to be your teacher self are to take yourself into account when making decisions and make sure to validate the feelings of parents, students, and coworkers as well.

the peacemaker

Be sure to take the quiz and find out your Enneagram type! Take note of the ways to be your best teacher self.

The first step to being the best teacher you can be – even during a tough year – is to recognize your strengths and weaknesses!

Want to have your students find out their Enneagram type? Check out Enneagram for Big Kids! You can also learn about more ways to understand student personality types.

kirsten hammond

Kirsten is a former 3rd and 5th grade teacher who loves helping upper elementary teachers by creating resources and sharing ideas that are engaging, research-based, and TEKS-aligned. She is a work-from-home mama of 3 rambunctious little ones and loves running, true crime, and lots of coffee.

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