A positive first impression is very important. For new students coming into a classroom setting; it gives them an idea of what the remainder of the course is going to be like. It goes right back to Modeling; making a positive impression to set the tone for the rest of the term.
Aileen,
You are making an impact and I commend you for that. Keep up the good work and I wish you continued teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am amazed at how my students still recall certain things about my first lecture with them, and not only the content
Joseph,
This is a good point and one we need to remember. Information, accurate or not is passed from one class to another so the students come into class with perceptions about you and your class somewhat already formed. We need to make sure we are set professionally to overcome the misperceptions and reinforce the positive perceptions the students have about us and our class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students talk. Depending on what the observe, experience, and feel from you will determine how you and your intent is perceived. This will also be passed along to other students and potential students.
Is very important because your class, your career and your repsect is riding on it. you must plan and be prepared
Lisa,
It is fun to meet a new class knowing your are prepared and ready to teach. During the introduction and ice breaker time you get to know the students better and everyone is excited about the class to come. This sets the stage for successful learning and it is based upon that all important first impression.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Making a positive first impression on the first day of class is vital because the students will have already formed opinions about you before knowing who you are, and your personality traits. So if we as instructors come in with an open mind, readily prepared, professional in our appearance and actions,and confident, then the students may be open to changing their perceptions about us as instructors.
LT
Israel,
So true and so important to getting a course started off right.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Colette,
It is the foundation upon which your relationship with your students is built. You are so right in terms of needing to be a positive one so you can start earning their respect from the beginning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I trully agree with this, I think it's very important to give a good first impression. Students quickly get an oppinion of you and if it's one that you look unprepared ,messy and confused, they will know it and will feel that they can do the same .
A positive first impression creates a workable relationship from the start; not doing so, creates a very difficult teaching environment, as well as, learning environment.
Jeanette,
You are right about how students will act and react to the first impression they get of you. If you are professional and prepared then you set the tone for the coming class sessions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
New students will use their first impression of you to set the tone for how they will behave throughout the course. If they don't get a good first impression of you as the instructor they will not have the respect to hold what you teach credible.
Tamatha,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. This is good information for other beginning instructors to have as they plan to meet their students for the first time.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Erica,
I like the way you lay out how you are going to operate your class and interact with your students. Your first impression sets the tone as you say for that course as well as future courses. This way you have already established your classroom approach with your students and then you can build from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Gina,
Good point about making a positive first impression. As you say this starts the development of respect and then builds from there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Totally agree!!! Same thing with me. My first class ever was the same exact way!! Now I have learned ALOT and know how important first impressions are!!
Because first impressions are everything and I will be with a class for 5 weeks, and I may have those students again. It's also the time where I set the standards for work in the class and behavior and the first impression can be what makes or breaks me in terms of classroom management. They need to know I am both approachable and in charge.
A positive impression is very important because it is the first impression students will have of you. There are no do overs. It will set the tone for the rest of the class. Students will respect you.
