To be a role model for our students an instructor must #1 Be Prepared!!! If you go into a class unprepared, your students will notice. Secondly, you must dress and act appropriately. We are trying to instill professionalism in our students and if we do not act and dress appropriately how can we expect our students to do so? Thirdly, as an instructor it is imperative that you know your subject. Trying to teach a subject that you are unsure of or are not familiar with will be a total disaster! So if you do not know it, learn it before stepping into the classroom!
Another thing is to be punctual. Start and end your classes on time. Be strict but fair with your students. They will appreciate that more than if you let them get away with being late or not listening in class. After all, they are in the classroom to learn.
Does anyone have anything else to add? I am certain that I missed a few points!
Be competent means that you not only know & understand the material you are teaching, but you have prepared yourself by using multiple sources that expand far beyond your textbook.
Tom French
Your attire.
Your vocabulary.
Your demeanor.
Being committed.
Being fair/consistent regarding policies or student behavior.
Being competent.
Informative.
Mentor.
Coach.
Role model.
I come to class early to answer questions and encourage my students to be inquisitive. I act and speak professionally and expect the same from them.
I agree that as an instructor, one should always show professionalism not only to our students but also to our colleagues.
Dress
Language
Demeanor
Communication
Promptness
and many more
I feel students must understand that their appearance and attitude will carry them through the day. First impressions are extremely important, remain professional in all aspects and your employer will seek you out for higher tasks then someone who just "does the job and goes home". What better time to practice what you need to provide in the field then in the classroom, starting with the instructor.
I think the insructor has to have a positive attitude, dress professionally, set realistic goals for students. Should have a wide base of knowledge on subject matter. Punctuality and first impressions last for a lifetime.
I feel that instructors need to be role models at all times.We set the examples for how are students are going to potentially be when they ebter the professional world. I would love to hear that one of my students sees me as a mentor/role model.
Be clean and efficent in the lab. Be safe for yourself ant those around you.
A good beginning could be built around dressing appropriately, demonstrating appropriate language and communication skills and subject matter knowledge and competency in the classroom.
One way to be a role model is to get students to look at their performance as a college student as training for being a professional in their chosen field. As an instructor, you can point this out and model these behaviors. You can set many examples: Be punctual when beginning and ending class. Be timely in grading assignments. Speak articulately yet conversationally. Dress appropriately. Communicate and establish a sense of teamwork. Be assertive, yet flexible. From their instructors, students can learn that one can simultaneously be a professional as well as an authentic person. Successful behaviors are built into character and are not just an act, something that you are 'supposed' to do.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your response. It wasn't long at all because you were saying some very important things about how you can reflect the pride of being an instructor while demonstrating that you are a professional and as a result you will conduct yourself as a professional. This is a very important point that instructors need to grasp as they enter the classroom.
Gary
First off, I don't behave a certain way to become a "role model". My select and do each behavior because it is a "smart way" to behave, a curteous way to behave, and is a sensible ay to behave.
If I behave in a 'correct' manner, my students will accept me as a role model.
I get to class early, and make sure the room is clean and organized. I have lecture notes copied and enough copies for each student.
I personally greet each student by name as the enter the classroom (or as they take their seat).
Before I even come to class, I prepare by reviewing the math concepts I will teach, and study the history & development of the concept we are studying. In addition, I explain how I used this concept as an Engineer in my former life.
Other things we do as a class, is start on time, complete on time, (and show up early & stay late) so we can work together to get our assignments completed.
I dress appropriately for the class. Normally, it is business casual. However, if it is an important day, I will dress in a suit.
But, I nebver do these things to be a "role model". I just do the right thing, and then, if students select me as a 'model', so be it.
If you act a certain way just to become a 'role model', you are a phony and everyone will see through it.
Dress, and act appropriately and you will become a model and someone that your students (and even students not in your clss) will look up to and try to emulate.
Sorry for such a long response. Tom French
attention to detail,not only talking about subject but using my skills aquired in the field to show proper use of tools and operation. showing them the professional aspects of the trade. thank you helping me be a role model.
Proper dress. proper attitude for learning. and proper language.
Hi Jane,
I use learning groups where I have the fast learners mixed in with the other students. I assign group projects and this way each student can contribute in their own unique way. This allows the fast learners to bring to the group their knowledge and then share it with the other students as the project is completed.
Gary
Hi Lisa,
So true. Keep that great professional attitude and modeling of professional dress. This is very important to the students as they move through their program.
Gary
Modeling the way to live your life is also very important. There is a line here, obviously, because you shouldn't bring your PERSONAL life into the classroom with regards to being unprofessional. But, when students see you outside of class, as is inevitable, it is important to remember that although it is "off the clock" the student will still form opinions of you and who you are, and those opinions will factor into how they listen and relate to you, and even how they trust you as a teacher.
That's one possibility. I'm also thinking that I need to provide some sort of extra-credit they can pursue with the down time.
