I am teaching in a newly started dental hygiene program and find that I feel unorganized. I have taught all of my courses 1 time to the 1st class, and now will be teaching them again to the 2nd group of students. Because we taught each course from scratch, we were "flying by the seat of our pants" which made me feel very insecure. Now that we're starting our 2nd go-round, I am determined to become thoroughly organized but am afraid that I don't have the time to accomplish this. I feel that we are still in "seat of our pants" mode, just not as severely as the 1st time. Do you have any suggestions for organizing with very limited prep time available?
Hi William,
Continue to prepare, practice, and become familiar with course content. Each time you teach you will become more effective. It is important to build a rapport with students. Rapport building does allow for smoother/better conversations.
Patricia
Hello Hilary,
Absolutely, change is a must. There are no two classes that will be the same.
Patricia
Hello Edward,
I've always had the thought that respect is earned not demanded. Students will respect you based on your professionalism, demeanor, attitude, etc., simply by the way you conduct yourself.
Patricia
Hi Edward,
No two classes can be taught the same way due to having different students. We as educators must be very flexible.
Patricia
Hello Patricia:
Preparation, practice and great familiarity with content have helped me in class delivery.
Developing a rapport with students makes recovery quicker.
Hi Hilary,
We as instructors must be willing to accept constructive feedback just as students. Just because we are instructors it does not mean we know everything.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Instructors should never allow students to get them off task. The instructor must stay on point and in full control.
Patricia
I feel being confident in what your teaching as well as being prepared will always be a benifit. Not only prepared for what your teaching but also being prepared for anything that could happen to distract you. I have seen student's purposly distract the instructor to avoid a test or an uncomfortable situation. I like to plan ahead.Should things come up or should we as a class not move as fast as I had planned then I do not feel lost and the student will not see me flustered. Also, when you are prepared the class will have a nice flow to it and this may decrease some of the student's apprehensions'
Get to know your students' names, make sure you're learning as much as the students, and be open to constructive feedback.
Classes do have their own personalities. By changing the way you teach or adjust to the class it allows for feedback. As each class is different, so are the student's individual needs.
I agree with you. Telling students that you are new is a rocky route for being challenged daily. As the subject matter expert, the instructor is in charge and should command respect.
Come prepared and always evaluate yourself. Even if you're teaching the same class every single quarter/semester, doesn't mean you don't have to change it up. Each class is different.
Hello Jocelyn,
I concur! Prepartion is of the utmost importance.
Patricia
Hi Barbara,
Fantastic! You are thoroughly prepared for class. I am sure you students appreciate you and your academic dean does too. Keep making a difference in students lives.
Patricia
Hi Linda,
One slip and you have lost all credibility. The instructor must stay in full control.
Patricia
Hi Katy,
I managae instructors as well. I tell my new instructors never to make it known that you have never taught before. This statement gives students ammunition to strike at any moment. You open a can of worms by making such a remark.
Patricia
I manage the instructors and commonly have new instructors that are very nervous their first few quarters. Typically they will tell students that they have never taught before, which is not a good idea. I always encourage my instructors to go into the classroom with confidence and a positive attitude. I think that makes such a difference.
Hi Edward,
Students do not have to know if this is your first time teaching. You can present yourself in a way as if you were teaching for years. It is all in your presentation. Take control!
Patricia
Hi Bonnie,
My feelings are the same as yours. You have to know where to draw the line.
Patricia
