Brenda,
Being early just helps set the tone for the upcoming class and lets you relax a bit and enjoy developing rapport with the students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I always told my former employees, "14 minutes before class is 1 minute late". I like being prepared and being in class way before any of the students arrive. This eases me so I'm not rushed and shows them the importance of being on time.
I totally agree, by coming in early we are leading by example and the students appreciate it. I write the topics that will be discussed in the white board right away that way when the students come in they know what to expect for the day.
Vladimir,
Good strategy. Everyone benefits from you being there early.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Rhonda,
I am a big fan of being early to class for the reasons you cite. Being early helps me to get settled in and get a "feel" for the mood of the class which helps me to target my approach for that day.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I always come 30-35 minutes prior to class to give a hand to the students with their home assignments.
Then, when we discuss the home work, they do not fill lost.
I've noticed that if I greet each student by their name as they enter the room, and say "Good Morning" it starts the day with a welcoming environment and some of the students with negative attitudes seem to mellow a little bit over time. I also put the morning assignment on the board so students can get started immediately. Arriving early has paid big dividends for me because I always seem to have a few students whose soft skills are a bit challenging.
James,
Good point in that you have to find a balance that works for you as you prepare for the class. By being available before the class you can deal with students situations and questions because you have limited the time they have access to you before class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Jacob,
I like your approach to getting to class early and chatting with the students. By bring your enthusiasm for your field to the classroom you are helping the students to see the value of the content you are sharing and that increases their motivation.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I would tend to agree with you saying you are there as that "teacher/instructor" before class for the Students. "But" When I arrive early to set up, get papers ready for the students, go over the lesson plan to get on the right track, I notice that students become needy. And I am not on the clock yet, but helping is always there for them. And I don't mind helping, but if I suffer and then my teaching suffers, making then notice my different teaching style for the day. So I draw the line in the sand to say that this is my time, and then 15 minutes before class is help or field questions before class time. It is only fair, because I then get paid for 15 minutes before class starts to have to deal with just that. Then Life and Class moves on. Not letting the students run my mood or direction the class is to move forward in.
I also like to arrive early to my class, most of the time I use this time as my office hours, or tutoring hour, study hall for those who need that time, etc. This is also the time for me to layout my time line for that days lesson.
But one thing that I also noticed is that most of my students feel more at ease in our class room setting (ours is a lab setting)this is where they see me enjoying my work, and they feel that I am in the best of moods at this time of the day. Most of the time this is true. I get paid to share the passion that I have for my field of work!
John,
A good approach so you can get settled in and make sure everything is ready for the upcoming class.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
