First impression
Making a first positive impression is very impotent by getting in class early and greeting students at their arrival, and having all materials like syllabus, lecture outline, calendar, and agenda for the day ready for students.
Sharon,
Bring your passion for your field to the class and then be enthusiastic about teaching it. This sets the tone for an exciting and engaging class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Be positive and upbeat every day. Try to find a way to great the students that will put a smile on their faces and make them want to come to your class because you make them feel good. Make that first impression every day.
Sharyl,
I have experienced the same problem as well. I get a new group of students every 25 days so my first impression receives a variety of views. It is something that I am starting to work on though. I am trying to closely monitor how my students perceive me so I can make adjustments to find a professional "universal fit".
Sharyl,
Like your style because each class is so different. I taught two sections of a course back to back. Had to do what you did and pull up another plan with the second group because they were so different from my first section. Part of what makes teaching so much fun. Our life is never boring and change is a constant.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Possitive first impressions are more than just important as they can haunt you thoughout the term. But first impressions need to be followed up each day.
At times it's hard to be there 100% every day and that is being human.
My first day is well planned and have some fun acitity so the students can get to know each other. But this has backfired on me with one class of very serous students.
By experience I have alternative introduction if this is the case.
Tawnya,
This is true in terms of the message you send to your students when you are not prepared. Also, student behavior issues increase when you are not prepared and the students get frustrated.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Being prepared is very important..You dont want your student's to think your just there for a pay check.If they see your not prepared they may think why should they be.
