Get Your Students Hired
Wear appropriate clothing, prepare lesson, lay out lab supplies and equipment, talk with students, and start class on time
Yes, attitude definitely reflects leadership. We each should model what the student ultimately wants to become.
As the old adage states, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." I believe this is true in any environment, including the classroom. You only have one shot at the title; either your first impression will be favorable and memorable, or painful and memorable. All instructors should try to avoid the latter. Instructors should strive to create a professional yet exciting learning environment for all.
Making a good first impression is going to tell my students who I am and what I'm about. It will also dictate how comfortable they are with me for the rest of the course. I have made poor first impressions before. It's not easy to rebuild that relationship.
Peggy,
Right you are. Starting the development of two way respect goes a long way in setting the stage for a beneficial class for students. A positive first impression is the foundation upon which the rest of the class is built.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Making a positive first impression allows not only you to set yourself up for success but, also the students. It is a way for them to start respecting you and seeing classroom standards.
William,
You make a very good point and one we need to remember as we prepare to start a new class and get everyone engaged.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The saying goes, "You only get one chance to make a first impression."
With that first impression, the standards of expectation and the belief in their own chance of success are pretty much set by the students.
The first impression made by an instructor provides the opportunity for the students to buy in to acknowledging that they are either going to be or not going to be successful in the class with you as their instructor.
I like your comparison of making a first impression to winning the first game of the season. I personally like to embark on professional endeavors with a similar mindset that I would have in sports. A good first impression sets the tone for the rest of the season and future endeavors.
Valarie,
Yes it does. This is the beginning of a new working relationship so everyone is trying to size up everyone else and determine how the course is going to go. A positive first impression helps "sell" the class to them and they can then start to settle into and get comfortable with their new instructor.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Angela,
Right you are and this is why it is critical that a positive first impression be made. It is upon this foundation that success is going to be built in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Your first impression will always stick in the students minds and that is going to be their expectation of how the rest of the course is going to go. It may change their attitude from being positive about the course to negative and that starts them off on the wrong path from the beginning.
This allows you to start off on a positive note. It also gives the students a clear view of who you are and what to expect from you.
Ana,
So true and so important. We need to make a positive first impression because it is upon this first impression that the rest of the course is built.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
First impressions are very important when starting a new class. If a student sees my desk unorganized or me in sloppy attire, they will second guess of my ability to educate them. Let us not forget that we are the leaders of that classroom, therefore we should lead by example.
Marina,
Well said about the "nutty professor" part. It is easy to get a reputation like that by not being organized, starting class on time and in other ways sending the message that you are not prepared as the learning leader. With your approach you are demonstrating a professional attitude and modeling the desired behavior of the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
You are setting the stage for what's to come. They will always remember their first impression of you as their instructor. I know I remember the assumptions I made of the instructors in grad school. I always want to make sure I don't come into class unorganized or looking flustered. They will sense that and assume that you will be a "nutty professor" of sorts.
Kent,
Good point and well explained. This is the value of a good start with a new course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A positive first impression is like winning your first game of the season. It is simply a great way to start a course. If you have a shaky start, you may still go 15-1, but you are not going to have a perfect season.
A positive, well organized launch will put all the students heading towards the same checkpoint. If you have a slopply launch, you will have to spend twice the time getting students on course to their first checkpoint.
Rolonda,
You are a model and learning leader for your students. This needs to be remembered anytime we are interacting with our students. Your point about having a good attitude is a good one because this sets the stage for learning and student growth.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.