Younger Instructor and Older Student
How do you deal with a student that doesnt respect you because of your age .You stay professional but she is off task and focus because she feel she is old enough to be my mother.
Jason,
You have developed an instructional style that is based upon mutual respect. This is such an important way to approach the teaching when dealing with factors such as age. I really like your last sentence. It sets the tone for the class. You have to be the sheep herder because if you aren't then the sheep are high risk of being lost.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Angela,
Good point. You are the educational leader so you need to make sure that you bring to the classroom the latest content that is delivered in an engaging manner. This is not a small task as we all know.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I happen to be the youngest teacher at my school. The students end up being my age or much older.
I set an example through humbleness, patience, and by staying abreast in my field. I keep the material interesting by allowing discussions to form from the material. Expertise from previous fields and experience can be a great asset to the rest of the students present, myself included. I listen when the students speak and they respect that by listening when I speak. The teacher is the guide, or the orchestra conductor. We as a class grow and learn together and bring many things to the table during our discussions. Sometimes I am the most experienced in the room on a topic and sometimes I am not. My students often tell me my style of teaching helps them hear the material from many angles and thus the topics come alive in a 3D sense. I don't know if this would be considered "not maintaining proffesionalism and teacher-student relations", but where I may not be the oldest sheep, I am also the only sheep herder.
As an instructor you need to set the stage and lead by example. Make sure you know your stuff, be confident, and professional. Always try to stay abreast of changes in your area of study, keep current, age does not and should not matter.
Kevin,
Great to hear of your success with a talented and experienced student like the one you shared with us. This approach enabled both of you to be comfortable in the learning setting while using experiences that were brought to the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Dr. Gary,
Thank you. On one occasion I had a student who had a BFA from the school where I received my MFA. She is an older student. I asked her to look at the assignments as a way to challenge herself and improve her portfolio. She did just that. Last week I reviewed her portfolio and saw two of the assignments from that class included in her portfolio. I am glad I addressed the uncertainty from day one. She is a great student and has learned to accept challenges even from instructors younger than herself!
Kevin Trivedi
Kevin,
Good information and advice on how to work with older students. If you are professional in your approach and earn as well as give respect learning will occur. Older students will respect you just as you mentioned because you are respective of the life experiences you are bringing into the class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
This comes back to relating to the student. Some extra time speaking with them can give the instructor insight in how to relate to and motivate this issue. I think the best way to handle this is to challenge the student to benchmarks related to goals of their own choosing that go beyond what is expected of them. Your role can become one where you are a guide assisting them along their development.
I had an instances where I work with older students and have been fortunate in that they always treat me with respect. Sometimes it takes time, but you can earn respect by creating an atmosphere of professionalism and self development that is bigger than all of you.
Kevin Trivedi
Jozanna,
I wish you success in dealing with this situation.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I can relate to your situation. I have this with a couple of my students. I think consistency is the best method to approach the situation too.
Thank you for you input I am greatful to know I have been doing the proper thing .I have in fact done couseling session with her .I listen to her and her many complains and then I discuss how her behavior has really hurt he education far as progress and test because of this behavior .
Jozanna,
Tough situation but one that has to be based upon professional respect. Be consistent in all that you do in terms of interaction with her and if she does not meet expectations then she will have to deal with the consequences. Keep you administration informed in case she gets to the point that she is disrupting the learning of others and you have to remove her from the course. A private talk with her is a good starting point and then you can see how it develops from there.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
