Be in your classroom before the students arrive, acknowledge them when they arrive. Be professional in dress and behavior and be prepared to begin class on time.
Hi Judith,
Consistency is key. Students need and want consistency. When consistency exists, structure is a smooth flow.
Paatricia
Consistency is hugely important in creating an positive instructor image. Consistency with evaluation, dicipline, and positive reinforcement all help to demonstrate maturity and experience in the field.
Hi Gregg,
Great response! I can tell you display professionalisim in front of your students. Continue to behave as a professional in every aspect, and your students will show you great respect.
Patricia
Creating a positive instructor image goes hand in hand with being well prepared. Shield your professional life from your personal life...and don't let it bleed into your image as an instructor. Several of my students have complained about other instructors. This is not my business. I respond by briefly explaining that I do not have any response to the complaint as I have not been a student with that instructor before. I tell them that if they see me making similar mistakes or problems I would appreciate their honesty in their thoughts and observations of me so that I can avoid those issues or make positive changes. As a human being, and student, I appreciate sincerity and professionalism from my instructors. I, as an instructor, believe my students would also feel the same way.
I wear a uniform, and I believe a clean, pressed,sharp uniform is viewed as self-respect. Taking pride with appearance seems to translates into confidence, which helps to enhance a positive instructor image.
Hi David,
How ambitious of you! This is certainly three fold! Students are benefiting from your presence because you can help them. I am sure you are helpful to the instructor, and you are certainly seeing how a colleague teaches. Super!
Patricia
I enjoy sitting in and helping out during other instuctor's classes. By doing this the students see that you are there to help them not because you have to but because you as a positive instructor want to. When I am helping with another class it puts new ideas in my head on how to teach my but at the same time it turns a student to insturctor ratio from 16:1 to 8:1.
Hi Jeanne,
It is hard work to become a nurse, but as you have stated, it is definitley doable. I love how you made mention that you are cheering for your students. We must be their biggest cheerleader!
Patricia
To create a positive instructor image I like to dress professionally at school and in the same color of scrubs at school since I take a beginners group and want to model professional dress and demeanor at both locations. I like to smile, be open and interested, and learn all the students names within the first few days.
I also like to share concrete examples of the things I teach from my own experiences as a nurse. This is usually well received but occasionally I get student feed back that someone just wants information and I should not tell stories. I like to remind my students that it is hard work to learn to be a nurse but it is do able and I am rooting for them. I offer tutoring and extra help to those requesting this help. I also talk to them frequently before tests about anxiety reduction techniques.
Hi Mary,
In every way possible we must do a fine job of presenting ourselves as professionals. We must remember, we are always being watched.
Patricia
By using proper English and never swearing the students know an educated person is teaching them. Buy wearing professional dress and always being in uniform the students understand what the standard is for professional dress. trying to never have spelling mistakes on the board, handouts or tests is another way of letting them know I am qualified to teach them, and I am setting a good example.
Hi Aissa,
If it works continue to utilize it.
Patricia
I agree with the other instructors...it starts on day 1. I always start by introducing myself to the students. I give them some personal background information, to let them know that yes I am their teacher but I am also human. I then like to do icebreakers. Since I have a hard time remembering names I have the students introduce themselves using an adjective that describes them and also has to be a word that starts with the 1st letter of their names. I also let them share some personal info about themselves also. It has worked for me thus far!!!!
I agree that humor and allowing the students to be active participants when a question can not be answered is a great way to incorporate teamwork.
Hi Victor,
Puncuality and organization are two strong attributes of an instructor.
Patricia
Hi Sohphia,
What about these three areas?
Patricia
By being on time, organised, and being a real person to them
Hi Joe,
Creating a positive image does have a lot to do with what's in the inside as well as the outside.
Great point!
Patricia
