Mentor/Role Model
How do you serve as a role model/mentor to your students? Have you ever received feedback (positive or negative) from a student regarding your professionalism?
Tracy,
I like the way you approach your field and your sharing of your knowledge of your field. This makes you a clear role model for your students to observe and emulate as they expand their expertise and prepare to enter the field.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
When i graduated from college for medical assisting, I knew this was the field that I wanted to do. I love helping people, making them smile when they are down and just knowing that I brought something into someones life that they never had. So, when I got hired at my college as a lab assistant, I was happy. I would help the instructors with their students with their test-outs that they had to do before going out into the real world and then getting the compliment thank you tracy I feel better about doing this. That made me feel good. Because I was once in their shoes. I know what it is about being nervous but once you conquer the fear you will be a great medical assistant or anything that you pursue. It made me feel good that I changed someones life by just showing them and telling them it will be okay take a few deep breaths and conquer your fear. I was the same way and I have conquered it. This is what it means to me as a role model. Just having people coming over to you and saying thank you very much makes me feel good. this is why I like doing what I am doing. I also encourage them to do the best that they can be.
Shannon,
Good way to provide student support. They know you care and are there to assist them when needed. This sends a powerful message that if they will put forth the effort you will help them to be successful.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am a mentor by default to my students because they look to me for guidance in the classroom. This guidance usually spills over to personal mentoring once they realize that I do actually care about their future. I have had positive feedback regarding my professionalism by comparitive analysis to other instructors. This is uncomfortable but it gives me the opportunity to share with other instructors as to how their non-professional behavior may be a hinderance to learning in the classroom. Student comments are always held in the strictest of confidence.
Angela,
You have earned the respect of your students with the title they have given you. You are showing both your human side as well as your professional commitment to their learning.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am very conscientious about my appearance in the classroom. I try to be as knowledgable as I can with the subjects that I teach and strive to share that information in a way they can understand. I think the biggest compliment I receive is that when students call me Doctor. I am a NCMA and continue to remain humble along with a little patience.
Sheri,
Good plan and a good balance to how you share and support your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I always dress professionally and encourage them in their learning. I hear their stories and share mine as appropriate to help them see the light at the end of the tunnel.
i serve as a role model because I am a massage therapist practicing in the field. i explain the importance of being the best therapist you can be and how the little things make such a difference in keeping a client. Having neat hair, clean uniforms, trimed fingernails, and having a good positive attitude.
Linda,
A good way to conduct yourself as a professional. There are boundaries and they have to be maintained for the good of everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree with Dr. Meer's comments of dress, language, organization and competence to serve as a role model/mentor. Also, although I am always accessible to students and assist them in any manner I can (educational or legal problems), I maintain professional boundaries by never calling a student by their first name--they are always Mr./Ms/Mrs. both inside and outside the institution nor do I socialize with them even with Tweet/Twitter/Facebook or any Internet Outlet. I wish to be the Mentor, not their friend.
Rae Lynne,
You serve as a role model through your dress, language, organization and competence. It is not uncommon for instructors to be complimented on their professionalism by students because the instructor is reflecting the field through they modeling and students respect this.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
