Negative attitudes
As a teacher in the culinary field I am finding more and more students with this problem. They, the students tell me it's all about "respect" I don't feel they have the first clue as to what the real definition is. I try to be fair and consistent with all my students, but there are the few that test and push the authority that an instructor such as myself has in the class.
When it raises it's ugly head I pull them from class and explain the situation briefly and ask them if they understand. If they do we're back in class if not they are asked to leave and the student will be spoken to by the Director of Education. How do you deal with this situation in todays young student population?
Hi Cheryl,
I like your approach to your class. The idea that you have extensive experience and am willing to share it needs to be brought out to the students. In our culture of entitlement respect is hard to get since students seem to think they don't have to respect you but you have to them. We have to convince that what we are offering is a future if they learn the material and develop themselves as complete balanced professionals.
Gary
It seems that it is getting harder to get the respect of students. It doesn't just come easily because you are the instructor as it used to. I get frustrated when I think I am working harder than they are at making the class one where all treat each other with mutual respect. I have had to learn to respond to doubt about what I say, my expertise, my expectations. I have found that it is more and more essential to be prepared and to "know" your field. I have found that personal examples of my experience in the area is helpful. I teach career development and have had many jobs. I sometimes start my class with "I have had more than 75 jobs!" Gets their attention and I can talk about all my experience doing temporary work and exploring jobs and careers by doing them. I look for videos and websites that can back up what I say.
If an instructor confronts them regarding behavior (whether in class or during a break), students will often consider this "disrespectful."
The grading issues I normally see are simply students not getting the grade they want. They will sometimes admit to inferior work, but they still have unrealistic expectations.
Jonathan
What types of interactions with their instructors do they typically characterize as "acted in a disrespectful way"? What are some of the main types of grading issues that you see?
Jim
Hi Jonathan,
How timely are your comments. I am currently finishing a course phase (one week to go) and the student concerns are coming up each day. Reason is just as you stated, "I am failing but it isn't my fault". This is the point where I set down with them and work through a plan of action that results in them getting up to speed or preparing to take the course again. They have to meet the competency standards of the course so we develop a plan to make that happen but it may takes several tries before it does. It would be so much easier if they would just get after it the first time.
Gary
I work in administration as well as teach online. I frequently have students come to me because an instructor has "acted in a disrespectful way" toward them. Without fail, they also tell me, "Oh yeah! I'm also failing."
I've found that if the grade issue can be resolved (normally through actually communicating with the instructor), then the respect issue ends up being resolved as well.
I encounter negativity each quarter because I teach required classes that most students wouldn't take if given the option. The negativity results from resentment for having to pay for a class that they see of being no benefit to their career. Students tend to not be able to separate the class material from the instructor; if they don't like the class and don't feel they need to take it, they take that out on the instructor, no matter how good a teacher it may be. Unfortunately this negativity tends to be contagious.
I try (sometimes more successfully than other times) to make the material relevant to them, to hopefully help them see the value of the class. There will always be those who insist on testing the lines of respect. However, I've found that if I can remain professional and not take the negativity personally, I have more success at channeling those attitudes into something positive and something that can be applicable to their career paths.
This is a topic that some Sr. tenured faculty seem to forget about. If you’re tired, bored, and feeling a lack of respect, student swill often detect this and reflect what they see. It’s a key component that faculty self monitor and not fall victim toward victimizing others in the classroom. Dialogue with colleagues about new and different approaches is not only collegial, it’s essential in order to stay current and effective.
A tip that may be helpful as you continue to work with these students is to make a point of getting to know the negative students better. Try to find a reason to briefly interact before class begins or as they're leaving for the day...just something brief to start connecting with them a bit better.
Kris,
Teaching a non-kitchen class in a culinary school can be difficult at times. Even the best and brightest students can sometimes bring a small amount of negativity to my class. How I deal with it is to do exactly what you said, be fair and consistent. I also remind them of the benefits of what they are learning and relate it to real life job situations. And although respect is a two way street, it should be earned. The easiest way for me to earn the students respect is to be firm, fair, consistent and knowledgeable. They usually know what to expect before they even step into my classroom. Because our student body is extremely diverse, we will always have one or two students that will try and push our buttons. I always try to deal with the situation immediately in a professional manner. I agree with Adam not to take it personally. We have all had situations where we had to involve the Director of Education.
Hi,
How frustrating! It sounds like you're doing a good job of containing the problematic students. Still, there are always going to be a couple that will resist no matter what you do. Good luck, and try not to take it personally when students misbehave.
I try to always interact with them in the most professional manner, consistently and quickly every time. That way I don't fuel their fire & it sets an example to any other classmates that my try to pull something. I also use as many real life examples from my field to demonstrate the importance of truly acting respectful - I teach in the veterinary technology field. Thankfully (but unfortunately) there are many examples from private practice that I can draw on to illustrate this point to the students. My perception is that it seems as though some of this is attitued comes from the environment they grew up in. They are used to getting everything they want, think they are entitled to everything (including be spoon-fed for their education), and don't have the work ethic/study ethic that should be present in our field. (of course this is just a % of the students). We try to interact with the community, particularly students - at an early age, as much as possible - such as talking to elemenatry, jr high, high school students, 4-H, boy/girl scouts, etc.
