Role Models
Students really like to know that you are human. If you do not know th eanswer, look it up and respond to student.
Tamyra,
Well said. This approach is an essential part of being a successful communicator and learning leader. As you say from researching the answers to questions raised everyone learns.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes, I agree admit your shortcomings as well as mistakes. If you don't know the answer admit it and I would suggest asking the student if they would like to look up the correct answer with you. That way you are both learning and it shows the student that you are indeed human and capable of still learning even if you are a so called "expert" in the field. It also shows the student that you genuinely care about them and their success in the field.
I agree with your statement. As a career service director once told my class "You will need to walk the walk and talk the talk in order to get and keep a job in the field of choice". How will they know how to act professionally if we, as instructors, do not behave as a professional. We lead by our example. I can not tell a student that he/she can not come to class late if I do. I can not tell a student that they are not dress correctly for class if I do not come professionally dress my self. Professionalism starts with us.
John,
Your last sentence captures the essence of what being a role model is about. You are reflecting and illustrating what a professional in their field should be like. You are setting standard for them so they can see what it takes for career success once they complete their training.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Perhaps the concept of becoming a role model is in the ability of an instructor to convince the student of the relevance and importance of the institutional ideals of the school, which in most cases will be realistically in line with what they may expect to find in their chosen career environment. When students can be reminded of what their career field may require of them, as demonstrated by the demeanor and appearance of the instructor, they can begin to be oriented toward what their "post-college" life will be like.
John,
I agree. It is more of the total person outlook that helps with modeling like you mention.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
This works well for addressing content, but it is not the only place for any instructor to become a role model. Having taught for the DoD for many years, we were required to set examples in ourselves that reflected the ideals of our institution. As an example, just before weekend release, we were required to give a safety brief that would discuss such items as drinking habits, etc. How could we be a good role model if our actions were hypocritical of the brief we were giving? This is another place where the idea of being a role model is so large.
