Being a great role model!
Be aware of how you present yourself especially the first day because the students are closely observing you. They expect professionalism, honesty, and empathy with a cherry on top:) The students deserve all of this also. Alot of my students have started our program with many changes made in their personal lives. They deserve the best education possible.
Helen,
WOW! Thank you for sharing this example of modeling behavior for students. I am amazed that you were able to last 2 hours since you were so far out of your comfort zone in relation to being a professional. This is such a graphic way to send a message to the students. Had you talked with them about dress and behavior they probably would have dismissed most of it but by displaying it you got the message across with maximum retention of the lesson. I am sure that your discussion that followed was extremely valuable to the students. I would guess the professional conduct was much higher by the students for the rest of the course. Great strategy!
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I wanted to share an incident from our setting. I was assigned to take over a didactic class that had a reputation of entitlement. They were a smart class academically but lacking greatly in the area of professionalism. The students knew of my reputation for being very strict as well. So the first day of class I came dressed in a manner I had seen some of them dress when they were out of uniform. I had my hair down with big hoop earrings, a short skirt and cleavage showing (both of which I was very uncomfortable with but I had the administrator's approval)boots,black nail polish, chewing gum and slurping coffee, and lots of jewelry everywhere. I had a colleague call me on my cell phone when I was in the middle of a lecture and broke just about every rule I could think of. Whenever I slurpped or blew a bubble or took a call I could hear different students making comments and looking horrified. I could only keep up the act for about 2 hours but we had a very long discussion thereafter where I was able to make some headway with the concept of professionalism in a non confrontive way.
Being a great role model also helps reinforce good behavior and professionalism in the students.
I also agree. Relating to your students, showing compassion and empathy in certain situations means alot to students. In turn, student will see you in a whole new light.
I agree with your statement. I find it important to relate to your students and provide examples of how to deal with their job and people skills. I found out in a discussion that some did not think it was important on how they approached others. I responded by telling that everyone has feelings and their words are very powerful and should be careful on how they are stated. If we are not careful, it reflects on the person and the company.
Shelley,
This form of modeling for the students is in my opinion the most effective because you are demonstrating not only how to use your knowledge but also how to use your competence. This helps the students to "connect the dots" between the classroom/lab and the real world of patient care.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
My students know that I am always out on the floor with them participating in patient care and feel they learn observing how to interact with patients and their families. They see a positive and kind attitude is just as important as their skills to instill confidence for the patients as well as family.
Dionne,
Good layout of the way a professional educator should present him or herself. All of the components come together to help students to feel comfortable and supported by their instructor. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
