I have always tried to be the best role model that I can be. I feel we are the first to set an example in our chosen fields. We all hope to turn out the best qualified professionals as possible.
One way I try to be a positive role model to my students is to display a positive attitude everyday. We are all human and have lives outside of our careers but it is important to check your attitude at the door and always be positive with the students. This shows them how it should be in the work place.
Hi Melissa,
As a person that is always early to meetings and prompt to return calls/emails I understand where you are coming from. My personality is at times my own worse enemy because I am a compulsive completer. That being said I know my responding to my students is valued by them as based upon their feedback. I will continue to communicate with them promptly because I know it shows them my concern for their success.
I know your students see your responses the same way. So keep up your efforts because you are making a difference in the lives of your students.
Gary
Hi Jonathan,
You make a great point and instructors need to be reminded of it often. We are always "leaders" not matter what we are saying or doing so we must act as such through all of our teaching efforts.
Gary
I never even really associated the two until I read this post, but then realized just how much I work hard to return emails/phone calls as soon as possible, as it is a huge annoyance to me when others do not do the same, whether professionally or even just personally. I can empathize with students who feel that way about their instructors, as I have had instructors in the past like that as well, that were very hard to contact and were very difficult to get a response from.
I work hard to try to make each student feel very welcome and create that "Open Door" environment so if they have a question or concern, they know it can be easily approached with me, and a solution will try to be found.
I am instructor in the criminal justice course of study, and as such, I may hold the students to higher standards in terms of professionalism, ability, and values than another program or another instructor may. Professionals working in criminal justice should reflect respect, competence, compassion, empathy, and a sense of humor, as well as holding their own behavior to the highest standard. I believe that in doing so as an instructor in front of the students will assist them in seeing a model of behavior that they can reflect or project in themselves as well. Being on time for class, being respectful to all, presenting both sides of a topic, and just plain hard work will hopefully show the students a model of behavior worth respecting and admiring.
I have always felt that a leader must "lead by example". Everything you say or do in front of a class is under scrutiny by your students. If you consider a personal behavior you engage in isn't what you want your students to emulate, you should never engage in it in front of your students.
Hi Michael,
What are some of the strategies that you use to demonstrate your professionalism and how the course can help them?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Gary
By being a professional at all times and relating how your couse can help them in the feilf of their choice.
As a culinary instructor and a restaurant chef I always try to be very thorough and observe fine details in my demonstration for each individual stations. I want to make sure that I show all the proper technic(s)from cutting to cooking to plating of all the elements and components of the plate wether it is protein, vegetables or starch. I also want to make sure that I am well prep and finish in timely manner.Kitchen terminology is very important but only use terms that students are more familiar with otherwise they will loose interest.
Brandon,
Yes, we as instructors should be involved with the act of learning more so than our teaching performance and being humble is a part of that. Along those lines we also need to not be afraid to exercise effective classroom management so to provide a structured learning environment for our students.
I should bring out everything that's good about me. I should show my love for what I do (teaching) and the field that I am in. Also show my professionalism by dressing properly, treating people with respect, and keeping appointment times, and always minding manners. I hope this answers your question correctly.
I couldn't agreed more. I think we also owe it to our students to allow them to see we are also "human" and not just some robots who repeat information.
By being human I mean admitting to mistakes in demos, laughing at ourself if we error in some other way but most of all smiling with not just our mouths but our eyes. Students want to relate to their role model. If we are robots how will they relate to us?
Hi Kariann,
I agree with your thinking on this. Modeling does involve two roles and we instructors need to remember them both as we plan our instruction. We want our students see us as professional educators and professional representatives of our field.
Gary
I think instructors have an important role in being able to serve as a model for not only what is expected in the classroom, but also as a representative of the profession. It is very important to set as examples such as being on time, being prepared, dressing appropriately, and treating others with respect because this will be expected of the students in their future professions.
One good way an instructor can act as a role model is to be prepared and in class on time or before class starts. By an instructor coming in 5 or 10 minutes late it is showing the students that this is acceptable in the work place. It is also important for an instructor to be prepared and have all supplies ready for the students. I teach medical assisting and by being prepared with lab supplies is a good way to teach them that they need to be prepared for the doctor.
I agree but I think the people factor is not only important for the practitioner/client relationship but for the instructor/student relationship. As instructors we need to be sensitive to the varied backgrounds of our students. Some of them come from very difficult backgrounds where they did not learn basic people skills such as respect and integrity that we may take for granted. Modeling can show students how a better life is possible, not only monetarily but socially.
Hi Paula,
Keep up your effort. It takes some time but most of them will catch on. For those that don't their careers are going to average at best because they can't be depended upon to show up each day on time. By keeping up your effort you know that you have been the model they need and this should give you a measure of professional satisfaction.
Gary
I am fairly new as an instructor and I do struggle with this particular situation. For example I am very familiar with how being on time in my field is mandatory to keep your job but my students seem to be very frustrated when I explain to them that they need to treat school as if it were their job because if their internship director calls me and asks about their punctuality, I would have to be completely honest. I set the example by showing up to class and starting class on time but it just doesn't seem to sink in the importance of their attendance.
As a Chef Instructor it is my model to dress as the students are instructed to dress to show them profeesional model they will need in the industry. Professional dress is very important in fine dining establishments so the students need to learn this early.
