Firm but Fair
To give the students the good and bad rules that will lead to there success, being consistent is a key that they will respect. Having some fun but keeping in mind that there is a goal to be accomplished.
I think you summed this up very well. Being firm and fair is the foundation for building respect.
Certainly there will always be catastrophic events in students lives that make it only fair to work with them by granting extra time or extra help, but they must communicate with you on what happened,and where, when and how it happened.
I think also that fairness and consistancy go hand in hand. Situations are never exactly the same, but there are always similiarities and should be dealt with based on a consistant policy.
janet
We have students of all ages and background in one class.
You must be fair to all the students. If you do something special for one student you must do it for all students. All students need special attention at one time or another. It is your role as an instructor to find out what that student needs from you. Each student needs some one on one time with the instructor. It can be just a few minutes.
As long as you treat students with respect and be and model the behavior you want from them you can reach most of them.
If you allow some students to not follow the rules the students will notice that rules are not for everyone. They test you all the time and some students just watch to see what you are going to do or how you will react.
Instructors must remain calm and not make things personal. Restating rules and regulations and asking the student why they think they are exempt from some particular rule will give you an opportunity to explain why this would not be fair to other students. You may be able to find a comprimise.
You can not waffle and let guidelines slip or this can cause a lot of disruptions. You never want to give students reason to believe you have favorites.
Some students do need special consideration sometimes. All students should be aware that they can talk to you to determine if something can be changed for them. I call it mitigating circumstances. As long as all the students are aware you will treat them with the same fairness and stay within the rules and regulations you will retain their respect becasue you are fair but hold them to their commitment to follow the rules.
Marie
The student's acceptance of safety rules for themselves and others must be considered before any other concerns.
I teach in an automotive school, in the diesel department. The components involved are much larger and heavier than those of an automobile, and consequences of not working safely get severe.
Hi Joseph,
Well said. Your comments reflect the fact that the work place can be a place of both production and enjoyment for workers. This is what will keep them engaged and retained in the workplace.
Gary
Having fun in your field of choice,I feel,can be very important. As a manager for over 20 years I never deny an associate fun at the work place, as long as the discipline and professionalism always reign superior.
I teach in a school that involves repair of
vehicles and when students make mistakes
that could cause an unsafe condition,the
grading is quite stiff. Sometimes it is difficult
to bring them to understand their level
of responsiblity once the reach the field but
the grade will help them remember the mistake
and help them relate it to the importance in the field even
if they do not understand it in a lab environment.
Rules are apart of our daily lives; everywhere we go. Students have to understand that the rules are for their protection and success. Instructors must implement these rules to create safe learning environments for staff and students alike. Therefore, it is necessary that students are held accountable for their actions and all students are treated the same and fairly.
Hi Richard,
Well spoken comments. Students have to realize the importance of certain rules and reason for following them. Their safety and future are at stake.
The have to make professional conduct a part of their skill development and by following the rules of safety they will be able have a safe and rewarding career.
Gary
This can often be a must in certain situations. I teach at a culinary college and these students are working in a very dangerous environment. If they do not get the idea that there are very specific rules which must be followed or their will be dire consequenses, they not only will be ill-prepared for the industry they have chosen but could very well hurt themselves.
I've taught English and Literature at a state university and I understand having classes where the atmosphere is very relaxed, but I believe the level of discipline must, in part, be determined by the situation surrounding the class and or institution.
