First day impressions
First day impressions are always important. Making sure that standards are set and who is in charge of the class room. Some instructors are worried about being a student’s friend and getting accepted in their Cohort Group, others instructors are worried about keeping within the guidelines that are set by the school and still try to teach the class. Syllabi are always a great check list. Syllabi make questions very easily answered because they set the work stations for the room.
Hi James,
Thank you for sharing your approach to starting a new class. This sets the expectations and policies that are going to govern the class. Your use of the word "professional" is key. You set yourself up as a professional and from that point forward you will be working on respect and rapport with your students, the two essentials for teaching success. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Another thing to consider. Each class has a different level of "autority" required. I usually come across strong the first day and adjust as the course progresses, never leaving the professional level. It's always easier to do this than to start out too soft and then try to tighten up later to gain control. I've never had bad evals by doing it this way.
first day impressions set the tone for the class and how well it will go and how they will learn and behave and what they think of you profesinally
Strict with the rules... but a really nice instructor. (that's what I usually get in end of course surveys) I prefer to keep it like that. I think they respect you more! It sets the line and they will feel hesitant to cross it.
First day makes an impression and it has an impact.
When I was cross trained in my first class 5 1/2 yrs. ago it was informed to me to come across strong, meaningful, w/authority, then after a few days you may lighten up a little bit. But if you come in w/a lax attitude it's hard to get authority then. I also know you must show respect in order to get respect.
So then again that is why we must always try and put our best foot forward and look and act as we want to be seen. If you only try and prepare yourself for the first day then it is a waste. Always handle and look profesional even when you are in a slump or something along those lines. Just think you are who these students are told is the best person to teach them so set that as your goal be the best possible instructor you can be. Learn as you go I always learn something new each day and a lot of it is how do i reach my students better. As a role model, instuctor, mentor you have to keep the image 24/7 at work.
Yes, first day impressions are important, but the student's FIRST impression of us is formed when they see us in the halls.
The " First day impression" is where I establish to the class my professionalism at a level that they admire and would like to achieve. We are given these tools, sylibus, cirriculum, safety sheets, these things are pretty much standard in every coarse, but they have to have faith in their instructor this is the cement that bonds us together as a uniform group. Give me a group of people that are bonded together in a unified belief and I'll change the world, or build a fine tech.
