Rheashaun,
You have a very well developed plan for reaching all of your students and showing them how they can settle into the course and be successful. Good plan and I wish you much success as you continue to impact the lives of your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Jeffrey,
Right you are. In addition this method helps students to realize they are bringing something to the class (their life experiences) that will help them to be successful in the course. This really helps their self confidence.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I truly believe you teach professionalism by being an example. I always arrive to class early and prepared, dress and speak appropriately, and treat others with respect. My younger age has brought up some issues in the past with students trying to speak to me like we are pals, but I do let them know right away that this type of interaction is inappropriate. I do get worried I come across a little cold so I follow that up with the possiblity of establishing a friendship once they graduate. Any tips on how to handle the situation would be very helpful :)
The instructor has a great impact on the stusent, how the proceive the school and the course. The insructor should be the fountain of wisdom, both in the classroom but also concerning the real world.
I try to keep the students in a professional role at all times by making an example of myself. I refer to everyone, including the students by Mr. or Ms. using their last names as a sign of mutual respect. I give them examples of professional and unprofessional scenarios and how to handle certain situations. I have group discussions in class and give everyone a turn to present an experience, give a comment or ask a question.
A critical element is showing respect for everyone in the classroom by acknowledging that each person has something to contribute from their prior studies or personal experiences. By doing so students will witness how this technique generates more participation.
Mike,
Good start in answering the question. Your attitude and approach to the classroom is very good. You are there to help the students to move closer to their career goals and the more support and encouragement you can give them the better. In the meantime you will continue to expand your expertise as an educator to the benefit of everyone.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Norman,
Sometimes students forget that their instructors are former students themselves. We all have been where they are and we understand their challenges of balancing life and being a student. By knowing this they can understand more accurately the value of the content you are sharing with them.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I am very new to classrom teaching. I have told my students that I have made every mistake they will make in the future. As a teacher I hope to give them enough information that they will make less mistakes than I have over the years. I make it clear I will answer any question they have to the best of my ability. I am not sure this answered your question, but I think it is a start.
Teach the students to understand how important it is to be prepared for the real world. I stress the importance by relating to the students what I went through to get to the position that I am in.
I always encourage my students that they are winners. I tell them life isn't easy but with a college backgound life can be easier. Be honest with them.
Be real with students. I've had more students come back and visit me. Its a good feeling to recognize that the student trust me.
Celine,
As you know students love stories from the field. By using them you are reinforcing the content you are sharing with the students in relevant ways.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Many students may not have role models, or the ones they think are good role models are not. If they see the instructor modeling the behavior that they are suppose to model, then they will be successful. I tell stories about situations that happened in the office and how I handled the situation. My students love it when I tell stories, they ask questions like what do you do if ...... happens, I tell them the right way to handle situations, so I believe I am modeling the proper behavior.
Fidencio,
Honesty in delivery and passion about the content helps to "sell" a course to students. Good point.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I think that being honest is a great thing to have in the classroom advising them from personal experience lets them know you care
Maria,
Good plan. What are some other ways you can help your students in being a role model for them?
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Teaching them to be respectful to others in class, work as teamplayers.
Having worked in my field I lead by example.
I also agree that it is important for the student to learn in the classroom how to interact with different people from very diverse backgrounds and to be tolerable of eachothers differences in a respectful manner in order to work well in the workplace setting.
Kristina,
Good reminder for all of us instructors. We have to be the learning leader and to do that we have to maintain our professionalism at all times.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
