Treating Students Equally
When I look back at all of the teachers/instructors that I have had, I have learned a great deal from each of them. One of the biggest lessons was on how to treat each student equally. I have never forgotten how I felt when I was not treated equally. This is a big part of my teaching philosophy.
Spending time with students on a more one to one basis, as per tutoring after class, has always been effective for me in dealing with the student that is not grasping the general education classes like English, Math, and Science. By working one on one the student will reveal his or her learning tendencies: verbal; written; or kinesthetic. Then you can plan tutoring sessions to more effictively reach the student.
It's funny how teachers who weren't our favorites when we were in their classes may have become favorites now as we become teachers. I always struggled with math classes and yet took four math courses in high school. It was all because the teacher was so good. He not only provided good examples and showed us how to work through them, but he was always willing to spend his free periods helping students. There was an added bonus for all students: if we failed a test and came for extra help, he would give us a makeup test. The old test score went away and the new score replaced it. Though those who did not come for extra help felt like it wasn't fair, since they did not get the benefit of it, there was a cost. It wasn't a free makeup. We had to spend 2 hours (or more) getting extra help. But, as a teacher I understand his philosophy. The test was not punishment, it was intended to be just one part of the learning process. And, if we came for extra help and learned what we needed to learn, we were successful on the second test. We learned what we needed to learn. So now, I try to incorporate his philosophy into some of my traditional courses--though my students do not get full credit for their makeup attempts. And since I offer it to everyone, I am treating all students equally.
I agree, that is why I set my policies on day one and I do not deviate from them. That way I can ensure consistency and be fair.
One of the toughest things for me is dealing equally with students. It is hard because you start to pick out your favorites on day one. I always make an effort to develop a relationship with the trouble makers or under acheivers, as well as the brighter more responsive student.
I have had the pleasure of teaching diverse students. 10 years ago it was a challenge in the medical lab. We had established dress codes that did not fit with our new student populations. It took a fair amount of discussion to come up with satisfactory ways to solve it.
I agree there is nothing worse than feeling as if you have not been treated fairly or gotten a fair deal in any situation.
I am a fairly new career college teacher with quite some time of field work in the nursing profession and many years ago a seasoned nurse told me something that she probably did not think would really impact my life but it did and it not only works for nursing but can be used in all aspects of life, teaching and how you treat people and her comment was "Don't do for one what you can't do for all."
So always know your employers rules and enforce them because if one person does not it makes it hard for those that do and always treat everyone equally. It keeps things simple. N Foy
