Instructors as Role Models
What are some ways you can model behaviors that will help your students to succeed in their career field?
As I teach criminal justice, one of the points I always stress to my students is to maintain a great fitness attitude that can allow them to overcome the rigid requirement to entering this field. Another suggestion outlined is the need to always focus on civil service scheduled examination that can help them to land a job in their field.
If intructor show Professionalisin, ethics and disceplin, organized. Student will benift and will see you as their role model and wish one day they will be as good as you
Be on time to class daily. Never come in late and come prepared.
Dress and display professional behaviour in both the classroom and clinical setting, follow the same rules as you would expect your students to follow.
I talk to my students as they are my fellow technicians in the pharmacy. I have trained other technicians while on the job so I pretend they have the pharmacy job already but they have to do the work and show me they are capable of performing the technician skills before they can move on to the next task.
I have been teaching nursing students for over 10 years and I always feel like teaching professionalism to them is the most difficult part of my role. Many of the hospitals are now changing their dress code and professionalism policies and it is often difficult to keep some of our younger students on track with this. Many hospitals are requiring that tattoos be covered, piercings removed, etc.. I try to model the professional nurse in appropriate dress code and even if instructors have tattoos/piercings (as many do) they should keep them covered in clinical sites and educate nursing students that research and patient satisfaction surveys have been done to find out what the patients want and what makes them feel comfortable and safe with their health care providers. Appropriate language and a genuine sense of caring also is something I try to show my students. Tolerance and cultural sensitivity are something else that must be role modeled by nursing instructors as well.Role modeling is essential to learning how to be a professional in the workplace, regardless of what your chosen profession/career will be.
I too share my experiences in the field, and I really think it helps the students relate to me as well as apply the principles in their minds. Personal stories go beyond just text books and helps students see things in a different light. The "real" world is very different than just the text!
Instructors as role models is a great way to set standards for your students. Its a way to begin to change an image of the profession you are seeking. This is where it starts.
Lisa,
So true. This is why it is so important to be the best learning leader and role model you can be for your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Students look at their peers and replicate their actions. Instructors need to set a positive example.
Linda,
You make a good point because this establishes a routine that lets students know their instructor is there to meet them and chat a few minutes for class. In classes I am able to answer many questions before class starts and help the students to feel comfortable as they get settled into class for that day.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am in total agreement that Instructors need to arrive on time prepared for delivery of content. By simply not being there at the start of class, it sends such a bad message to the students and sadly I have seen first hand how detrimental this came be to students.
Amy,
Right you are because enthusiasm is catching so we need to bring it to our classes and spread it around.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
i AM ALWAYS PASSIONATE ABOUT MY TOPIC (NURSING). iF YOU REALLY LIKE THE INFORMATION AND FIND IT FASCINATING/EDUCATIONAL, YOUR STUDENTS WILL FOLLOW SUIT.
THERESA,
Right you are about the need for the instructor to model the expected conduct, language and dress of the profession. By doing so the students see and learn what the expectations of the dental field and when combined with their technical skills they are prepared to transition into employment with success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
It is very important in the dental field to represent the professionalism that will be expected of the students in the dental offices. It is extremely important that the instructors, model the appearance they expect of their students. I feel that students expect that of us and deserve to have that constant reminder thru example
Charles,
A great list of ways to serve as a role model to and for our students. By being consistent in your behavior, actions, dress and conduct you will help your students to see the value of the course in relation to helping them move closer to their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Demonstrate through your own behavior and preparation the expectations to be successful in a career. This includes consistently being on time, treating students fairly, dressing professionally, listening to concerns and explaining reasons for decisions. In addition, demonstrate real world applications of course material through your experiences, as well in business related current events.
Michael,
Based upon the requirements you are in a position to be a true role model for your students. From day one they see you as a person that they can emulate and the results will be that they will be prepared to transition to the workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I Teach at a for profit Automotive training school. The requirements for employment as an Instructor are to meet the highest standards.
This includes professional competence of the field, Instructing techniques and training, and most importantly, setting a professional example:
On time, dress, language and attitude
