Authority
How have you established your authority in the class while maintaining a sense of fun and friendliness?
I just took a full-time teaching position after being a member of the night school faculty for over a year. The night school program tends to have a less informal feel to it, and my classes have been much smaller than they are during the day.
Part of my problem is my age. While I have 12 years experience, I just turned 31 this month, and many of my students are older than me. Because of this reason, I feel that I sometimes have an issue with establishing my authority. I have been seeking the advice of other instructors who have more experience in the teaching arena than I do.
My age coupled with a more passive personality has made creating a sense of authority a bit difficult for me.
Hi Joseph,
You show authority from the very beginning of the class. From the first day set the stage for you being in charge and directing what is going to occur in the classroom or lab. You can chat with students at the beginning of the class or share an amusing story with them as everyone is getting settled and then call the class to order. You can use humor throughout the course and even special events, like pizza day without giving up any authority because the students know you are in charge no matter the setting.
Gary
A classroom has to have a level of authority or the outcomes that need to be accomplished for the day. I know that there has to be a level of fun to encourage learning; however, at what point do you need to show that authority?
Katrina, Yes, I also teach adult learners. It's important that they see I am organized as I begin each time. I need to set aside a little extra time before class. Judy
Gary,
Thanks. Thinking about this, I realize I tend to rush too much as class begins. Slowing down and focusing on the students would better establish an introduction. Judy
I have found it very valuable to be organized and have a firm grasp of the material you want to cover in a session. As I teach adult learners, I find it important to respect their perspective that they have gained in life/job/education in the classroom as much as possible. Because I respect their background I find that they also respect me as a teacher and as the one who has the ultimate authority in the classroom.
Hi Judy,
By being early by a few minutes to the class and greeting the students as they enter. Chatting a few minutes with each student. Starting the class on time and introducing the class in a general way. Have everything laid out that will be used that day so the students see you as being organized and ready to teach. All of the above send a clear message that you are a professional educator ready to teach in addition to being friendly and approachable.
Have some short but fun "ice breakers" ready for the class to get the students settled in and help them work through the introductions. These ice breakers will get some laughs from you and the students plus it helps the students get to know each other.
Once the class is underway on future class meetings you can start the class with a current event related to the class or introduce a cartoon, story or joke to help the students to relax a bit as the class starts. I teach starting at 4 in the afternoon. My students have worked all day and have rushed to get to my class on time so the first few minutes of the class we have a bit of fun and few laughs. This helps them to take a few deep breaths and get focused on what we are going to cover that day. When I turn on the LCD or walk to the demonstration area they know we are ready for business and I am in charge. We have some light hearted moments off and on throughout the class session to help the students to refocus as needed and give them a bit of a think break from the content.
Gary
