I always start class with a fun, student-interaction activity.

I only show examples if I've removed the student identifying information.

We have many classrooms that are filled completely or with only a few seats remaining. The rooms cannot easily be modified to encourage groups or different tasks based on learning styles and classroom objectives. Does anyone have any suggestions for this? I would love to have more group activities but have not found a good way to do that.

Challenging students are getting more violent in theit attacks on faculty, talking to administrator sometimes adds more fuel to the fire.

A silent student has a barrier to commuincation and sometimes just need to be left alone.

Some instructors common mistakes are related to that some times there are students who are well versed in your subject also and it makes one nervous.

Exactly one year ago yesterday, I moved my family from Colorado to California to take a job as an intructor at U.T.I. So not only was I in a completely new place, I had a totally new kind of job. Learning to adapt to life outside of the diesel industy and learning to teach students how to get into said industry put a lot of stress on not only myself, but my family as well. The process of adapting to my new home state has been much slower than adapting to my new role as instructor. living in California can be a stress inducer at times...

I find that creation is a great stress reliever. Whether its pounding a candelabra out of wrought iron or laying flagstones for a garden pathway. The sense of control can be relieving in a sometimes out of control world.

I always consider myself a big picture sort of person. Much of my stress is purely self induced. When I am carrying out purchasing duties, clerical duties or teaching duties, I constantly assess how my actions effect the company as a whole. I also see that that many of my colleagues are much more talented than I in the classroom, and I do my best to make sure that they have what is needed for them to do their job as stress free as possible.

I recently had a student who consistently and vocally stated "that's not the way Mr. X does it". I sent out an email to the class after a particularly challenging session letting students know every instructor has their approach, particularly with different coursework, and that everyone is expected to behave in a respectful manner. It helped, but I also discovered Mr. X was talking to students about my methods in his class. I brought the issue to my manager and I later discussed it with Mr. X, but really am frustrated he actively undermined my relationship with students. Anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you handle it?

I think a good way to manage your stress is by staying as positive as posible and by having some type of stress reliever... e.g. Meditation such as, yoga and tai chi. I feel that has helped me in the past. Am I wrong?

One thing that has caused me stress is that I am a 26-year Professional that now teaches (a Teaching Professional). As teacher for the past 5-years I am being held accountable for a profession where I have no formal training (a Professional Teacher). My formal education was in my chosen profession, not in teaching. Even though have been proven to be successful as a teacher, I feel at times I am unqualified and I am being held accountable to the standards that I am unfamiliar with. How to I bridge this gap or is it just a matter of time and experince as being a teacher? Thoughts?

I find my management style differs depending on what classes I teach. Certain groups of students may need a totally different management (lets say a software class) style than someone in a more hands-on traditional class, such as drawing.

Most instructors seem to hold on to hte past in programs lectures tests quiz Modern instructors know to advance their thngs and use of tehnology to keep them up to date nothing worse than an archaic instructor

Life today is simple setting up audio triggers on your PI makes it easier to set your time to any thing you desire So no need to use old paper and pen

I have been noticing many new teachers that come into teaching and for a long time they blame their mistakes on the fact that they are new. This bothers me. I agree with many that have said we are only human and like any other are prone to make mistakes. However, we should be more accountable for those mistakes and simply move on. Help students to know they can count on you, but they can also rely on you to be a real person, accountable for what you do. Have confidence in your abilities. Students do not like when teachers are not confident in their abilities, because then they will be unsure of their own.

I have been having an interesting dilemna recently. I teach the beginning course for many of the medical programs at a career college. Many of my past students have been returning to me asking for help with their teachers or their coursework, which I am not trained to teach. I have been simply advising them to make sure they consult their teacher. Another problem is they become so exaperated with everything that they enter my class at any time, including when I am in the process of teaching my current class. Typically I invite them in to talk about how my students can prepare for their programs. In what other ways could I handle situations like these?

I find it very difficult to accomodate those students who missed work that was done in class. Practical assignments are no problem but the lecture material is what I'm having a hard time with. I offer my students a thumb drive of the lecture material but few take me up on that. Could use some ideas.

What are some of the successful ways to improve attendance of the students?

im nervous, but deep down inside, i know i can do this. with preparation i can be a great teacher