The instructor must come prepared for class - from the clothes worn, to being on-time and knowledgable about the subject. One does not have to be "high fasion", but clean, pressed clothes or uniform, clothes that fit, and clean hair are an important part of the image. Students know immediately if you have mastery of the material or read the chapter the night before.
Hi Colleen,
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to tell your students that you are a new instructor. You are really opening up a can of worms. Students will examine you carefully from this point on and will call you out on everything that don't agree with. This type of information should not be shared. It is really irrelevant that you are a new instructor.
Patricia
Hi April,
Appearance plays a large role in being regarded as having a positive instructor image. I teach Professional Development, and every Thurday during the grading period my students are required to dress as if they are going to an interview. I too dress on these Thursdays; we must leady by example!
Patricia
As an instructor for a trade in which a uniform must be worn, the first step is wearing it VERY well. It helps set a very professional tone. Secondly, I try to create a positive instructor image by being overly prepared. Lastly, I explain my experience and how it relates to their learning success.
Being organized, on time every time and having a clear plan sets the tone and earns respect.
After learning from my mistake as a new instructor of telling my students that I was a new instructor when I taught my first class, I could honestly say to my students in my second class that I was now an experienced instructor. I tell my students that I am a life-long learner and hopefully I can pass along the most current information to them.
Hi Kim,
Just by this response alone I can tell that you are a true professional, and you really care about your students. Students need to know that we are there for them to help them succeed.
Patricia
Hi Sandra,
You and I are on the same page! It has always been my belief that I should teach as if a student does not know anything about the subject matter so that I can capture every student. I teach from a very elementary perspective. I assume they do not know anything about what I am about to teach.
Patricia
I always introduce myself by letting the students know my background. This gives them the sense that I have the knowledge to teach them. Also being prepared is important. When I teach my class I teach it to the students as if they are in kindergarten because in a way they are since it is all new material to them. With this approach all the students are comfortable coming to class and have respect for me.
I feel a positive image of an instructor is projected in a few different ways. Being prompt in starting and ending your class on time, you appearance being professional, a positive attitude, showing that you care, Never projecting that you are so much above them and that they are beneath you because you are in the position that you are in. Taking the time to listen to each student and how they feel and the struggles that they face while trying to finish school.
Hi Garry,
As educators we are certainly under close scrutiny from our students. They will catch our mistakes and certainly point them out to us. We have to let them know that we are human too, and we are far from perfect.
Patricia
With thirty sets of eyeballs looking for the cracks in the educator’s armor, it is pretty easy not to see one’s own mistakes. A wise teacher would set down with themselves during stopping points within the course for a self evaluation of the performance given to their students. I always make it a point to let my students know early within the course that I flunked water walking in college and I’m going to make my mistake just like the rest of you. This tactic takes a great deal of pressure off of me and allows the class as a whole to relax.
Besides dressing the part. Show the students that you care about their development into the field and that you are there to assist them where in school or out of school.
Hi Timothy,
Dress, preparedness, and respect are certainly ways to maintain a positive instructor image. Students watch us closely, and we should be professional in all areas so that our students have excellent role models to imitate.
Patricia
The instructor must model the professionalism that is expected from the students. At career colleges we are focused on training professionals. If we act like professionals, the students are more likely to respect and learn from the instructor. We are also showing students the professionalism that is required of someone entering the field.
Dress, for one. When in a live classroom, or when my image is being beamed across to an online classroom, I try to dress professionally and appropriately. Preparedness, for another. I want students to know that I've put genuine hours into preparing lesson plans and class activities and I have "Plan B" and "Plan C" activities at the ready, in case. Respect, for yet another. If I wish my students to respect me, I must treat them with the courtesy and respect that I would expect from them. These are three ways that I can create and maintain a positive instructor image.
Hi Steven,
Knowing from Day 1 is crucial. Students need to be made aware as to what is expected of them on Day 1 so that they can begin to prepare.
Patricia
First I tell the class my time and experience in my field. Second I tell them of my education to back up what I teach. Third I go over expectations for the course and give each student an iteniary for the course. I do all this within the first two hours on the first day. This lets the class know my rules and expectations from day one .
A positive instuctor image can be created by always maintaining a level of professionalism. This ranges from how the instuctor presents material, remaining abreast of the current changes in the field of knowledge the instuctor teaches and always maintianing proper classroom decoram.
In addition to being organized, informing your students of your professional experience, and reviewing the course content and requirements with your students, I feel it is essential being with establishing a positive rapport with your students through some sort of ice breaker type activity. I have had a lot of success beginning each class with a short history of my career and then having each class member say something about what brought them to school and what their goals are at this point. I have found this a good way to let the students know that I am interested in their goals and concerned about them achieving their goals.
