New Teacher
Hello, I am new at teaching, but have been in my field for 15 years. I am afraid that I may be too soft. How can I avoid being taken advantage of by the students?
Be honest!
A student will be appreciative of that. Tell the student with the question that you will find out the answer and let them know at the next class.
Hi Mary Kay,
Welcome to the profession. Based upon the wonderful career I have had as a teacher I know you are going to enjoy sharing your knowledge with your students.
Be prepared and organized. By knowing what you are going to do with the class and how you are going to manage the structure of it it you will be surprised at how the classes will flow. Be clear with your students about your expectations, requirements and policies. Then be consistent as you follow them. This will set the stage for your students. A common issue with students is the use of cell phones in class. I don't allow them to be used in my classes so when a student starts to text during the class I stop and focus on that student. The silence quickly brings attention to the student and he/she stops using the phone and the class moves on. I haven't had to say a word yet I am managing the entire class by being consistent with my policy of no cell phone use in class.
It won't be long before you will see how you can manage the class without being too strict but still establish rapport with the students and earn their respect.
You have 30 years of life experiences so don't be afraid to bring them into the classroom, as people are people no matter their setting and you already know a lot about people. Go with that knowledge and experience.
Gary
I am a new teacher and am actually afraid of being to strict with the students. I have been in my profession for almost 30 years but have just entered the education field. Any words of advice would be greatly apprectiated.
Mary Kay
Hi Albert,
If you are organized and have your instruction planned out you will be setting the stage for a successful class and this will reduce student management issues. Be fair and consistent in your treatment of students. Follow through with what you say you will do. All of this contributes to a good class environment. This will give you the opportunity to develop rapport with the students as you interact with them during discussions and learning group work. Come to class early and chat with them as they come into the classroom. This demonstrates to the students that your care about them as individuals. As a result of both good planning and student interaction you will have a good balance to your professional approach.
Gary
How does one balance a strict class room environment with an approachable teaching style? I'm new to teaching but control of the classroom seems essential.
Hello Melanie,
I too am a new instructor with almost 20 years in my field and was also worried about being too soft. I really appreciate all the responses to your previous post. I also had another instructor remind me that even though I had not been teaching in the classroom, I had been teaching students in my area of expertise when they came out in the "clinical setting" to us.
Sandy
Hi Abigail,
Welcome to teaching. Sounds like you are enjoying it so far. All new teaching struggle a bit in finding their style and balance in the classroom. Through your comments I see that you have thought it through and have a clear idea about where you want to position yourself in the class management spectrum.
Gary
I too am new to teaching, but I have been in my field for the past 15 years. It has been a fulfilling, rewarding and hectic few months. My style is to be fair and consistent and maybe I'm too hard. I don't need to be their "pal" but someone who can guide them with the proper technical and professionalism skills to succeed in our industry. Sometimes I find myself treating students as "employees" and I have high expectations of them since they are going to represent the incoming workforce. I need to find the balance of effective classroom/lab teaching and having them understand "real world" expectation.
I think conisistency is the key. Right from the beginning, state your policies clearly! If you start veering from your syllabus, this is when students might tend to walk all over you. If you state that tests may not be made up, then stick with that rule, etc.
Hi Melania,
Welcome to the profession. I hope your beginning experiences of being an instructor have been good. I think you are going to really enjoy sharing your knowledge with your students. With a bit of experience as an instructor you will soon be feel as comfortable teaching as you do with your clinical experience. Focus on developing rapport with your students and earning their respect. These two Rs will do much to help both you and your students to enjoy time in class.
Gary
I am also a new instructor. I have been in my field for 18 years so obviously I feel more at ease in the clinical setting, but try to bring as much of that knowledge as possible into the classroom setting. The students seem to enjoy that part of the class better.
I've been in this situation. Be honest with your students - you don't know but then offer to find out and then follow through. Even better, if you time and access, you can engage the class in doing an internet search for the answer. This can lead to some great class discussion.
Hi Tracy,
There a two ways you can approach the question. One is to ask the student to clarify the question a bit more. That way you can be sure of the question and what the student is asking. The other approach if you are uncertain how to respond is to delay answering until you can check the facts or get further information. You can do this by simple telling the student and the class that you are sure of the facts related to the question and rather than giving them incorrect information you want to check it out and will give them the correct response when the class meets again. There is nothing wrong with delaying the answer until the next class. What this does is to show the students that you are willing to find the answers to their questions and that you will do it promptly.
Gary
I'm new at teaching, also! This is a totally new field for me!
I never doubt what I know, but how should I respond to a question that, is in the context of the course but, I am not completely sure how to answer it correctly?
I'm new at teaching, also! This is a totally new field for me!
I never doubt what I know, but how should I respond to a question that, is in the context of the course but, I am not completely sure how to answer it correctly?
Hi Andrea,
If and when it does come up I would say that "yes I am new to teaching but I have x amount of years of experience in my career field. I am excited about being able to share that experience with you." Then move on. This way you can keep the class moving forward without letting you being a new teacher become an issue.
Gary
I am a new instructor. Other instructors keep reminding me that I can't let the students know I am new at teaching... How do I address this issue when it comes up? (I know it will...I look and sound very young.)
Keep an open mind. Be firm with your course content. Do not let them know that you are new at teaching.
Hi Kevin,
Welcome to your new profession. You have a rich background that will serve you well. I know you are going to have a great time with your students.
Gary
