Robert,
This is a very important part of being an instructor of merit. Instructors are the models for their field and their profession. Dress, language and conduct all contribute to showing students what a professional really is.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
By making sure that I comply with my school's dress code for instructors I set the expectation for my students to adhere to the dress code as well. Also by making sure that I follow the school policies I again set the expectation for the students to do the same. I believe in leading by example.
Douglas,
Good point and one students need to get from the beginning of their training. By being professional they are going to develop in their career so they need to see their instructor modeling the dress, language and behavior needed for career success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Professionalism in the HVAC/R trade is of utmost performance. so, it is up to the instructor to dress professionally but also exhibit professional conduct in the way we interact with the students. setting the examples of courtesy, respect, honesty are a great value to pass on.
Tom,
This is an important part of the developmental process for students. By you modeling the needed strategies you make sure that your students do not get lost within the process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I model how to recognize when a problem is going south and developing processes for getting back on track.
Irum,
Right you are. As the learning leader for these students you set the standards and then model the behaviors that are needed for career success. Keep up this good effort.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sharon,
Good standard to have and illustrate to your students. This is what part of their career development should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Debi,
I commend you for your modeling of professional behavior and illustrating to your students what the outcome of such behavior is on their own career development. By observing you they can see that they to can be successful in the field if they are willing to put forth the effort and dedicate themselves to self discipline.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe that in order to be a role model we have to follow the rules by ourselves and show our student that every challenge can be met if we put our full effort. And we have to be there for their guidance in practical life
Since we work in the medical area, I insist that all my instructors wear professional dress at all times in an attempt to get the students into thinking that this is the proper standard. Professionalism is easier to see when you look the part.
Modeling professional behavior is important at all times in the health care field, and it comes easily for me. Teaching a class entitled Professionalism, it is essential to teach confidently about career success and even more important to lead by example. Ways that I can (and do) model professional behaviors include: (1) arriving to the classroom early and returning promptly from breaks, (2) visibly organizing materials, (3) properly using equipment, (4) using correct English (with absolutely no profanity), (5) paraphrasing questions and comments in order to understand and show active listening skills, (6) providing specific verbal praise (e.g., for participating in discussions), (7) visibly following classroom policies such as no eating or cell phone use, (8) dressing professionally, and more. Following classroom rules such as these will help a student to follow rules in their own work place. One student congenially commented that I am the only instructor she has known who follows all the rules. For example, once they tried to conjole me into eating in the classroom by sharing some goodies following a break, but I politely smiled and stated that I would eat my snack after returning to the office. I have also shared with students that I respect them as well as my employer.
James,
This is one of the most important lessons your students can learn. My frustration, which I have had for the many years I have been a teacher, is that students become too focused on grades for the course and not how they are developing their career potential and can make applications outside of the classroom. Will keep up my effort as you do yours because when you have students that do "get it" and see the relevancy then it is worth it.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I work at a community college and technical school as well, and I see that the ability to relate to my students sets the tone for modeled behaviors. If my students see that we can transfer ideas and concepts from the classroom experience and knowledge outside the walls of the school, I feel it sets the behavior of a lifelong learner to be established.
Karen,
I commend you for the way you encourage interaction and discussion while establish an environment of listening. Students need to develop skills at listening because no matter the career field there will be times one needs to listen and respect the opinions of others.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think one of the most important life skills I can model as an instructor is to be tolerant. When you have an interactive class with discussions occurring between instructor/student(s) and student/student(s), it is inevitable that a comment can be taken personally or as an inappropriate response to what you have shared. It is important to praise each student for taking a chance in expressing their idea publicly, and reminding the class as a whole that not everybody will always agree with your opinion. I try to model good listening skills, how to respond in an appropriate manner, and to ask questions about the response you found to be negative/inappropriate. It is always possible that you misunderstood the person’s response. It is also possible that they just do not agree with your opinion, and that is okay.
Kathleen,
You have a very professional and comprehensive approach to your modeling efforts. By doing so you are showing your students what the standards and expectations are for their field. As a result their transition from being a student to the field should be much easier and they will be on a success track much quicker.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am an instructor in a PTA program. Therefore it is important that I model appropriate dress so Pt. modesty and Pt. safety. It is important that I model strict safety behaviors with no gray lines so the students leanr the best rules and then can learn to make professional diecisions based on the balck and white. It is important that I model appropriate use of both meidcal and lay person terminology. it is important that I model appropoaite body mechnics to maintain self-safety.
Machuria,
You have their respect because you are earning it through your interaction with them. Your use of real world examples help them to see the future they can have if they are willing to overcome the barriers in their lives and expend the effort needed to be successful in their courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I work as an adjunct instructor in a community college and I also work at a non-traditional technical college, so I tend to have a student population that is either lower income, limited exposure to higher education and successful role models in their personal lives. I teach either business management courses or computer courses. I find that in my courses, we end up talking about real life situations. The students want to know my opinions or how I would handle a situation.
I tend to let the students know that I care about them academically and personally. As the students get to know and trust me, they sometimes stay after class to solicit my advice and guidance on their personal or career choices. I do the best I can to give sound advice and guidance without getting too personally involved. After teaching for a few semesters, I realized that I wasn't just an instructor; I was a role model too.
