Hi Deborah,
Good point. This is why I use a lot of problem solving and case study learning sequences. I want them to see relevancy and application to what they are learning. Just memorizing for a brief period of time is not efficient nor effective learning as we know.
Gary
I agree. Students like to know "how" to act professional outside of the classroom setting.
I agree completely. I have found sometimes that students feel they should be spoon fed all the information so that they can memorize it then for get it later never taking into concideration that their future depends on retention in order to achieve success.
Hi Frederick,
Good for you. The "soft skills" are so important to and for career success. The more you can help your students develop expertise in this area the greater service you will be doing for them as they acquire the competencies needed in your field.
Gary
I have done heating/cooling service in homes and business and believe many professionals treat customers as if they have no knowledge of their own equipment. I find listening very important to finding the problem. I have carried that into the class and spend time listening to students and sharing important details with them to help build the verbal relationship necessary to find the root cause the problem.
Because our students will be working in an office complex or residence doing some type of service work, I like to ask them how would they want someone performing a job in their residence to act. I also use my own experiences, good and bad, as examples.
Hi Melanie,
So important to present yourself this way. You are modeling the expectations of the field and yourself when you look and act like a professional.
Gary
I come to class prepared and looking professional everyday. I also make sure they know that I expect the same from them. This will prepare them to better themselves for the career field.
Hi Chuck,
I agree with your statements and position. We, educators need to reflect the field we are sharing with our students as well as model what is proper dress and conduct. I to am dismayed at many of my colleagues and how they present themselves. Then they complain about the lack of respect of student today. Yes, there are some issues there but for the most part if you present yourself as a professional you will be treated as such. Keep up your effort to illustrate standards for you students at all of your different educational endeavors.
Gary
In our school, we have students directly work with clients under the supervision of instructors. I make sure that I always model correct behavior and dress when I am supervising the students. In that regard, I make sure that I am dressed appropriately in safe and functional clothes. In addition, I always think before I speak, in language that is always appropriate for the situation. Especially with students learning, I make an effort to use the buzzwords that are commonly heard in our industry. Most importantly, I try to be fair with students and listen to what they have to say. I try to give support where it is needed yet also be firm in expectations.
Being professional is one way to be a role model. Always being on time and prepared helps students to understand the importance of this. It is not only being able to do a job well but also the way in which a person goes about their job is also important. Are you dependable? By being reliable as an instructor, you show the importance of this to the students that you teach.
I am not only an instructor at a community college and a business school, I also teach Marketing at the high school level. I am often shocked at how many of my peers at the high school present themselves not only in the classroom, but in the community. I have to admit my background is from the business world (I became a teacher at 41 years of age), however I am bewildered at the casual attire worn by some of the other faculty members. We have a dress code for our students, but often the staff dress code is ignored. I believe that by conducting myself in a manner that is acceptable in a professional environment, I am giving my students an advantage in their future careers.
By presenting "real life" examples that I have encountered, I find that students are able to put themselves in the place of those involved in the situation and evaluate the actions and outcomes, while thinking about how they would handle the same scenario.
An instructor should always present his or herself as a professional. Arriving to class on time and being well prepared are traits that should be carried into the career field. Other behaviors would include professional dress and effective communication skills.
I think that it is important for instructors to follow through on what they lay out at the beginning of a semester/quarter. If you don't "practice what you preach," so to speak, students won't take you seriously and won't expect other professors to be taken seriously. This has to potential to bleed over into their expectations in the work place as well if they are not shown an example of personal responsibility.
By demonstrating an genuine interest and excitement about the subject that I am teaching, I communicate the value that I find in the subject to the students. I also try to model a professional attitude toward all class members and treat each student with the appropriate respect. Finally, by the way that I can relate examples from my career with the students, they will see the real world application of the material.
Some behaviors that I can model as an instructor include starting class on time and being prepared. Having the necessary supplies is another example. I shouldn't have to ask a student to borrow his or her pen. Another way is to make sure all equipment is operational so I don't have to use class time to fix something or decide on other alternatives. I can also model effective social skills by using correct language, addressing the students at the beginning and end of each class by saying "Hello," "Good morning," or "Have a good day."
Yes, I agree...patients is very important. Instructors should be a role model to the students. You should show them respect and concern to them in order for you to get their attention.
Your professionalism in the classroom does depend on your subject/course. Our professionalism in our classroom would be very different than in a automotive setting. We would not appear 'professional' in our salon/day spa clothing as they would not be professional in our setting.
