Age and personality on the first day!
I am recently starting the new semester as a tech instructor, but I am concerned about the first day of course. I want to do some icebreakers with them to get acquainted, especially since I am the newcomer and they have known each other since the start of the program. My biggest concern is unfortunately my age. I am young and I look it, but have been in the field for several years and have the experience needed to teach others. The students in my classes are either in my age group or older! On the first day should I tell them my age or leave it out? Should I 'level' with them a little more and branch out in to more personal interests to make myself seem less foreign?
Regina,
Your students are accepting of you and your expertise as an instructor as a result of your confidence, organization, preparation and delivery. As a result your age is not a factor as you mention. Students are looking for a leader and that is what the instructor needs to be no matter what age. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I too am a relatively young instructor. I'm very close in age to most of my students, and even younger than some of them. I find it unnecessary to mention my age. In many circumstances, the fact that I am young has proven to be a benefit, since it helps me relate to my students. They also trust me because they know I was in their place very recently, so I can give them relevant clues about how to succeed in the program.
Grace,
Welcome to our profession. I trust that you will have a most rewarding teaching career. Thank you for your kind words about the content and the forum postings.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is all very helpful to read. I am a young teacher, and I teach college age students and up. Sometimes, I find it difficult to establish trust and respect with my students. This is my first semester teaching, so there is a lot I am already learning. This forum topic was very helpful. Thank you.
Hi Lyndsie,
I am also in a similar situation as you. The majority of my students are the same age or older than me.
When I talk about myself, I don't mention my age at all just the amount of experience that I have and how my knowledge of the industry and the class they are taking will enhance their learning and help them in their careers.
Age is just a number, you have a lot to offer!
Jean,
This is such a good way to approach the age and experience range of your students. You are keeping their focus on what they are to lean and how they can grow in their knowledge rather than age differences. As you mention at the end of the course the students are engaged and appreciate what each student was able to contribute. This is what learning is about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have had students that were right out of high school to one that was almost 6 years older than myself, with a boat load of higher degrees. Obviously that can make interaction between all of the class difficult at times. I just let them know how many years experience I have in my field and I also tell them that one of my objectives for the classroom is have them learn that everyone in the class has the ability to learn from each other, including me. I always am looking out for the learning opportunity in the classroom. Yes, at times it isn't always on topic, but in my field of medical assisting, it helps to be able to relate to a wide variety of people with differing backgrounds. I tell the students all the time that they need to learn about different cultures that make up their office's demographics so that they can be sensitive to the patient's needs. I never say I know it all, and that I am not still learning, because no one person can know everything about any discipline.
After a few classes you might be able to joke about looking younger than you are and that people keep telling you that you should be glad that you look younger and hopefully you will stay that way.
Gina,
Like your style and how you convey the message that you are experienced and that as learning leader you have something to offer your students if they are willing to invest the time and effort needed to learn the information.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I also look young so I understand this. I think it is very important for my students to understand how long I have practiced law (which makes them feel more comfortable with my expertise). That way they can do the math. :)
Great post.
Personally, I would not tell the students my age until the end of the class (and that is if they must know). I would lead with my experience and make a fleeting reference to how young I look for all of the experience. I find that sometimes if one looks young, students may suspend belief that the instructor is as young as s/he looks given the experience and expertise portrayed.
Lyndsie,
I would approach the class as their learning leader. Share information and have them participate in activities that will let you get to know them a little better. Since they are cohorts your challenge as you mention will be to establish yourself as the instructor. I would not share your age since even though you look young age is not a factor unless you make it such by telling them how old you are. You should share that you are excited about learning from them and their experiences just as they can learn from yours. Let them know you became an instructor as a result of your experience in the field and that now you are excited about sharing knowledge with them to help them to move forward in their careers. Keep it about them and not about you and you will do fine as you get them settled into the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
