About yourself
I was just wondering when I took instructor training, They told me to share something about myself. It sounded like a good idea to me. The first couple of times I tried that it backfired on me. The students took the little I told them about me and my experiences, and used it against me in a variety of ways. Has this happened to other new teachers as well. And I just quit telling them about my backround. the problem went away.
I think it depends on your background.
I had many years experience as a service manager and also worked at multi-line dealerships.
I also worked various other technical areas, dealing with various people, from labourers to engineers/developers/financiers
I have built road race motorcycles for other people and raced off road at national level
I also studied psychology at degree level.
Never had slightest problem with students after I started giving some background information about myself
PJ
I share things with my students some it makes them feel like hey if he can do it so can i. For others it is I have been where you are going and if you let me I can help you make it. For the younger ones sometimes it prevents the same things from happening to them. Once againthose words role model pop into place. You can be surprised at what happens when you give the students a little at a time. I do not tell them everything at once I want them to know it is a continuing story for them each day to have a change of state i will give them another little tidbit. It works for me.
Sharing information about yourself is crucial in a class. It makes you a human to your students. Pick stories that they can relate too, and that relate too the class, and stories that don't take too long to tell. Students making fun of you (or any teacher) is a good class interaction, and you should laugh with them. Just make sure its appropriate and in good fun. It will make the class more interesting for you and the other students.
Hi Brian,
Sorry you had a negative experience with sharing your background with your students. I have never experienced this before. There are many factors that may have come into play to contribute to such a situation. The key thing I see from your comments is that you figured a way out that will allow you to start a new course and get your students involved. Your students may be ready to go into the course content and that is what you should do. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I would agree with you, the less they know about you the better.
