Managing the classroom
New instructors sometimes are more worried about students liking them. New instructors are unsure how to control the classroom. Or they are afraid to disciple the students because they don’t want students to complain. The Instructors role is to set the tone for the entire class. Instructors need to manage the materials, the class flow and the students. Classroom management is a skill that needs to be learned.
I believe IF YOU set the example HOW you run your class they will follow You Need to be confident and hold all students to a higher standard. It starts with the teacher!
You could not have stated it more clearly. Instructors sometime make the mistake of wanting the students to like them so they will not maintain class control . In order to manage the class room. On the first day of class , the instructor needs to set the tone for the class and be consistent. In managing the classroom the key word is consistent. State the rules for the class and stand by them.
It was hard for me to get over the need to be liked. I found that there was always one or two that did not favor me as an instructor. I almost bent over backward to try and make those student change there opinion of me. However I found that not only did that not work but the rest of the class felt left out. I was paying so much attention to the "few" I forgot about the "many".
I have since changed my teaching style by just telling myself that in each class there will be at least one person who will not care for me and thats okay.
Thank you for your response, I completely agree with you. But as a new teacher you are clueless. I think the first three months of teaching is very scary. After I cried, I learned quickly how to manage my classroom.
Hi RoQuanda,
Super response! You are on point. Don't worry about being liked; do your job effectively, and treat everyone the same. The instructor should always be in full control of the classroom. It is better to be respected than liked as long as you are doing your job.
Patricia
