Your Grade is Your Paycheck
When I first started teaching, a supervisor told me this theory that I could present to the students. "Think of me as your employer and your grade is your paycheck." By setting clear expectations, guidelines, and policies, the students will develop the understanding that everything they do is a reflection of how they will be once they get out in the workplace. If a student's goal is to get an A, they will only earn it if they communicate well, study appropriately, and communicate any concerns they have along the way in a professional manner. This is what an employer would expect, so I apply this tehory to every class to help prepare them for the real world.
I really like this analogy. I believe students appreciate things more when they are associated with real life materials they can understand.
Hi Angela,
Love the example. This is a great way to set the stage for helping students to transition from classroom to work place.
Gary
I have seen many students make the same mistakes in the field as they do in the classroom. Their work ethic is taken with them from school to their workplace. If they understand how important their behavior and actions are in school, hopefully this will translate to their place of work.
