This blog post aims to answer the question, “Can an INFP be a teacher?” and explore the various dimensions of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP that will help understand the answer. 

Can an INFP be a teacher? 

Yes, an INFP can be a teacher. INFPs make for amazing teachers, mostly because they can become so passionate about the subjects they are teaching. Their positive outlook on life and their dreamy nature is actually something which can make them truly inspirational teachers.

An INFP can become a teacher because of the following 5 reasons –

• INFPs are passionate and enthusiastic. 
• INFPs are caring and compassionate.
• INFPs are patient and observant.
• INFPs are creative and encourage imagination. 
• INFPs are inspirational. 

These 5 reasons why an INFP can be a teacher will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what INFP means. 

Who is an INFP?

The INFP personality type was developed by Katharine Briggs and Isabel Myers, the authors of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®). INFP stands for Introversion, iNtuition, Feeling, and Perceiving, which are four key personality qualities based on C.G. Jung’s work.

Each of the four letters of the INFP code represents a significant personality feature of the INFP personality type. 

INFPs are stimulated by alone time (Introverted), focus on ideas and concepts rather than facts and specifics (iNtuitive), base their decisions on feelings and values (Feeling), and like to be spontaneous and flexible rather than planned and structured (Perceiving).

Because of their empathetic idealism and gentle concern for others, the INFP personality type is often known as the “Healer.” The INFP is also known by the following nicknames:

• The Thoughtful Idealist (MBTI)
• The Mediator (16Personalities)

An INFP prefers an unstructured and free-spirited lifestyle. INFP is an introverted and ultra-creative Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type. The INFP is sensitive, creative, and loyal to their values.

INFPs are creative idealists who are guided by their primary ideals and beliefs. A Healer who is preoccupied with possibilities; the actuality of the time is merely a fleeting concern. INFPs see the possibility of a brighter future and seek truth and purpose in their own unique way.

INFPs are sensitive, loving, and compassionate people who are highly concerned with their own and others’ personal progress. INFPs are individualistic and nonjudgmental, believing that each person must forge their own path. 

INFPs like spending time investigating their own ideas and ideals, and they gently encourage others to do the same. INFPs are creative and frequently artistic; they like discovering new ways to express themselves.   

INFP Personality Type Characteristics Are –

• INFPs are introverts who are quiet and reserved. INFPs find that being in social situations depletes their energy, thus they prefer to connect with a small number of close pals. While they like being alone, this should not be mistaken for timidity. Rather, it simply implies that INFPs get energy from alone time. INFPs must, on the other hand, devote energy to social circumstances.

• INFPs rely on intuition and are more concerned with the overall picture than the finer points of a situation. INFPs can be quite thorough about things that are important to them or tasks they are working on, yet they tend to overlook little or insignificant details.

• INFPs value personal sentiments above everything else and their actions are affected more by these concerns than by objective data.

• INFPs prefer to keep their choices open when it comes to making decisions. INFPs frequently put off making key judgments in case the circumstance changes. The majority of judgments are made based on personal ideals rather than reasoning.

What are these 5 reasons why an INFP can be a teacher?

INFPs are passionate and enthusiastic. 

An INFP might approach their work as a teacher with a great degree of heart and zeal. They are highly compassionate and sympathetic, so they can produce engaging lectures that aid students in learning.

In order to engage pupils, an INFP is likely to be passionate about their topic. Someone who is passionate about their subject and believes in helping others makes a great INFP instructor.

An INFP will be helpful if you are a natural leader. Students must be able to connect with INFP teachers. An excellent mentor can be an INFP. An INFP might excel as a teacher by learning how to control their enthusiasm.

INFPs are caring and compassionate.

Despite not being the most common personality type, INFPs may be good teachers. Their compassion for others and willingness to help others might make them outstanding teachers.

For an INFP, becoming a teacher might be a gratifying vocation. They make wonderful instructors because of their kind and daydreamy personalities. 

They will encourage their kids to be good influences because of their compassion and outlook on life. An effective teacher with an INFP personality may change the world.

INFPs are patient and observant.

Being patient is a key quality an INFP has as a teacher. While a great teacher must also be empathetic and patient, patience is a quality that all teachers should possess. 

An INFP is a keen observer of the outside environment. An effective INFP will be able to direct kids and establish limits. They ought to be considerate of students’ needs and patient with them.

INFPs are creative and encourage imagination. 

Instructors who are INFP tend to be more inventive and creative than other types of teachers. They have a greater propensity to exhort their pupils to be imaginative and creative.

INFPs are inspirational. 

INFPs have an optimistic outlook and are motivated by their topic. A superb instructor will pique students’ interest and inspire them to study more. The INFP will also motivate students to pursue their goals and alter the course of history.

The INFP will make a fantastic teacher. The intuition and optimistic attitude of an INFP might make them excellent teachers. A supportive teacher may motivate pupils to accomplish their goals and make a significant difference in the world.

An INFP can inspire their pupils effectively. They’ll be able to motivate others to follow suit. A competent teacher will also have the ability to motivate and engage their students. An INFP should, in general, be content and effective instructor.

Because of their positive outlook and capacity for compassion, INFPs can inspire pupils to pursue their goals. They may also be a motivating instructor.

As a result, it may be concluded that an INFP can be a successful teacher. The secret is to keep clear boundaries, be well-organized, master time management skills, and manage their personal lives.

Conclusion – 

This blog post focused on answering the question, “Can an  INFP be a teacher?” and reviewed the features and functions of the introverted and extremely inventive Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality type named INFP to help determine if an INFP can have teaching as their profession. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Can an  INFP be a teacher?

What personality type makes the best teacher?

Extraversion and assertiveness were found to be the two personality qualities most strongly associated with being regarded as an outstanding teacher, so it’s no wonder that People Masters thrive in classrooms, practice halls, and athletic grounds.

Which careers should INFPs avoid?

According to research, the following are some jobs to avoid if you are an INFP:

• Law Enforcement.
• Finance and Sales.
• Legal Professions.
• Military Occupations.

What subjects are INFPs good at?

INFPs with Investigative-Social interests frequently pursue studies in the social sciences (history, economics, psychology, sociology, geography, anthropology, archeology, political science, etc.).

What personality does it take to be a teacher?

Communication, listening, cooperation, adaptation, empathy, and patience are all attributes of a successful teacher. Effective teaching also has an engaging classroom presence, a value in real-world learning, the exchange of best practices, and a lifetime love of learning.

Which personality type is rarest?

Most of us have undoubtedly spent far too much time taking personality assessments in our earnest desire to understand more about ourselves. I’m an INFJ, which is the rarest personality type in the United States, accounting for around 1.5 percent of the population.

References-

Quora. Can INFPs be great teachers? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Can-INFPs-be-great-teachers

Reddit. Do we make good teachers? Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/infp/comments/1fv8v6/do_we_make_good_teachers/

Stafford, S. (2020, February 11). INFP Teachers: How INFPs Respond to Being Teachers. Retrieved from https://personalitygrowth.com/infp-teachers-how-infps-respond-to-being-teachers/#:~:text=INFPs%20can%20certainly%20make%20for,make%20them%20truly%20inspirational%20teachers.

OptimistMinds. (2021, July 1). INFP Teacher ( A Comprehensive Guide). 

Retrieved from https://optimistminds.com/infp-teacher/

PersonalityCafe (2017, July 18). INFP teachers? Retrieved from https://www.personalitycafe.com/threads/infp-teachers.1103690/

Truity. (n.d.). INFP, The Healer. Retrieved from https://www.truity.com/personality-type/INFP/careers

EduStaff. (2016, January 12). What Is Your Teaching Personality Type? Retrieved from https://www.edustaff.co.uk/community/80_

WikiJob Team. (2021, December 7). Career Matches for INFP Personalities. Retrieved from https://www.wikijob.co.uk/content/features/useful-resources/career-matches-infp-personalities

INFx Project (2020, February, 15). Advice For INFP Teacher – Engage Others In Relatable Conversations (Development) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvg25RG5N_8&ab_channel=INFxProject