Paul,
Well said. This is such an important part of the instructional process. The impact that instructors have on the lives of their students can only be measured over the years.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found that being a role model includes listening to your students. Sometimes they just want to talk to someone - someone they can look up to and trust. Being a role model carries a lot of responsibility. Use it properly.
By taking responsibility. When we take responsibility for our classrooms and the outcomes achieved it sets the example for our students to do the same in their lives and the outcomes for the work they put forth, whether it be following dress code, beginning class on time or the language that we use. In this way we can control much of the outcome for our students by setting the appropriate example which gives us the authority to hold students to the same standard.
Tammy,
We are the learning leaders of our students so we must model the dress, language, conduct and professional demeanor of our field. To do less is to set a bad example for our students. Your point is a good one and something we need to always consider as we work with students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dressing appropriately for the setting(office vs Lab) being on time and ready to teach. "Do as I do not as I say"
James,
This is such an important concept to share with your students. They are going to have to be strong and confident if they are going to hold up when they are attacked or at least discredited. The last part of your last sentence is to me the heart and soul of why we do what we do. We need to be able to answer to ourselves that we have done the best that we can do and that we have been professional in our conduct.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I'm training students who all aspire to have a high public profile in our field and anyone who succeeds in this line of work is going to have as many detractors as supporters. In the last few years, Google has given students quick and easy access to that kind of information on any of their instructors.
By openly acknowledging both my own fans and haters, I introduce the concept of reputation management and emphasize that neither the acclaim nor the disparagement you get from the public is ever really going to line up with your actual core competency at your job.
Marcia,
I agree because we are not only role models in terms of dress but also in leadership. Our language, conduct and attitude toward our professional are all read by students as they prepare to enter the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In addition to modeling professionalism in our dress, I think we need to model a positive attitude as well. Students can read our attitude which conveys a message even if contrary to how we dress.
Kelly,
They sure do.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I could not agree more, Dr. Meers!
Keeping an organized work space and arriving on time also serve as an additional models that promote professionalism and good habits of success.
Martha,
Good way to be as you enter the classroom/lab and get ready to share with your students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Be on time, be prepared, be honest and be open to discussions.
It's all about preparing them for real world situations.
Teresa,
This is an area that instructor's cannot forget about. We need to dress as you say in the "uniform" of our profession so our students will see how a professional in their field is expected to dress. We are their models from which they learn how to dress and conduct themselves as they prepare to enter their field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Dressing the part as an instructor is very important. The professional dress in your field is your "uniform" and it will go a long way at building your credibility. In the healthcare industry, for which I teach, scrubs are the norm for lab work. There is also a time and place for business attire with a starched white lab coat.
Carol,
You have a very comprehensive picture of how an instructor should approach the classroom. This is how planning and delivery should be done and when done this way everyone will benefit.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The instructor must be early for class and be completely prepared prior to the students arriving. All handouts should be ready to assembled and ready to be passed out. By being prepared, the students will learn from example and be more prepared.
The instructor must also show enthusiasm for the subject being taught--as if it is the first time--because it is the first time for the students.
Frequent stops to see if the students have questions is also a great idea. For those who are too shy to ask, slips of paper could be distributed so that even 'dumb' questions can be asked. More than likely, more than one student had the questions, but the student was too afraid/nervouse to ask the question.
The classroom has to be a safe enviroment where any questions is acceptable.
Camille,
It is great that you had such wonderful role models to follow as you have developed your own teaching career. As you impact the lives of your students you know that you are creating a legacy of your own abilities in relation to helping your students achieve their career goals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Much of what I learned as a student from my early school years to my college years came from motivational, inspirational, kind, self-sacrificing teachers with great leadership qualitites and not from their detailed course syllabus. I was able to develop both socially and academically with the influence of many wonderful teachers. As teachers, we have the opportunity to not only pass along lessons on the subjects that we teach, but lessons on life.
Christie,
Well put. This is why it is so important for us to remember that we are always "on stage" in terms of being role models, even when we are not in a classroom or lab setting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
