First impressions are last impressions??
Since it said that first impressions are lasting ones. Will it be fair for instructors to view their students in this way; based upon the first time meeting them? As instructors we are held to specific professional standards viewed by students and other faculty. Would it be fair to view our students the same way; and hold them accountable for their unprofessionalism at times.
Greg,
You make a good point because opinions can be built over a period of time.
Gary
Impressions are, no doubt, important. However, some of those things that we sometimes perceive as impressions could be the student's reaction to the class or subject matter. I think if that was determined first then an assessment of impressions could commence fairly. Day one snapshot is not fair as a first impression in my opinion.
Hi Theresa,
You make a good point about compassion. I train my pre-professional educators to remember three things as they enter the classroom.
1. Be the adult. You are the leader in the room.
2. Extend grace. Second chances are ok.
3. Show compassion. We are all humans and need it.
These three simple things really help to extend humanity to the classroom.
Gary
Hi Victoria,
We need to provide examples and support to our students so they can develop the needed "soft skills" required for job success. So when unprofessional behavior occurs we need to deal with it and show students how this behavior can impact their careers.
Gary
I agree with you; I teach young adults also and alot of them come from all different walks of life. Like you said "beyond imaginable" but at the end of day we are still entitled to our opinions with out being judgemental, but yet remaining professional and being that compassionate individual (instructor/teacher.)
I do not agree. I understand that yes we have approximately seven minutes to impress but we are the professionals. To be truthful I am sure we all feel that way at times but maybe it takes a while for some individuals to come around. I teach young adults and some of them have difficult lives, way beyond imaginable. We must be compassinate, professional and be willing to give second chances as a teacher. This is only my opinion. T.F.
