My success can be your success!
By telling short positive stories of my career gets most of my students motivated about the course and their future career goals. I know this is effective because I still get that feeling that "I can conquer the world" when I look back when I was a student and my teacher would motivate me with their success into thinking I can be successful too.
I remember when I was in college over 35 years ago (I'm dating myself here:)). I had an instructor whose name I remember to this day. She saw that I was beating myself up in her class and she shared with me a time when she had low self-esteem and that at the end of every day she would force herself to look back on the day and think of one thing that she did very well that day no matter how trivial and she gave me some examples. I never forgot that. I did it and it helped and now I pass on that story to students who I think could use it as well.
my sucecess can be your success and maybe my situation will help them get through some hard times so that they will see something that will better them in there situations and to show them what you went through to get out of your situations and better your self in your life and over come any and everything possible and not let any thing slow you down or stop you from achieving anything in life
Bringing in outside sources such as industry professionals, working alumni and even other instructors to tell their stories is also a huge boon for student motivation. Reinforcement from someone other than the teacher can help solidify the content being taught in the minds of the students.
Mabel,I agree with you.I,like many of my students, went to nursing school after my children were older.I reinforce to them to keep reaching for your dream.Stay focused and follow your dream.
I agree with all these comments. I heard a quote" the sincerest form of flattery is imitation" ...and now see it as a positive when a students try to model after me. I encourage them to become much more than I am.
Linda ,
we really do serve as more than just purveyors of information to our students & this is a great example. We can & should provide role models for them. Great job to you!
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I have a current student that told me she wants to be like me when she is old. I laughed because I don't consider myself as old, but what she was saying is a teacher, business owner, and a strong willed successful person. She was so proud telling her friends who she was modeling after. Telling my success stories rubs off on my student's and I hope they reach beyond what I have accomplished and do even better.
Student need role models and by sharing your success give this goals to shoot for.
