Over comming road blocks
Everyone likes a cinderella story so tell one. It gives hope.
Hi Dray,
Good advice for every beginning instructor. Know the reason you are telling a story about your career experiences. The stories need to fit into that day's lesson and have a point or you will quickly become know as the "rambling" teacher that just tells stories to kill time.
Gary
However, when giving account of your personal journey, make sure that you consider which details you need to include and which ones you need to omit. Telling a story about how you partied until excessive drinking caused you to fail an undergrad semester might not make the cut. Yes, you returned to school and completed your degree, but the students walk away with the inerasable visual image of you being the “college drunk.â€
I’ve seen inexperienced people in new leadership positions (which is exactly what an instructor is) share what we deem as TMI – too much information, and damage their standing as a perceived competent leader, capable of providing sound wisdom and guidance.
True. So many students can identify with real life stories.
Indeed - especially in IT where jobs are being lost via corporate greed [outsource]!
Thats a very good idea. Personal victories increase raport with students.
True. Likewise, providing stories of personal obstacles that were overcome also helps students to feel inspired.
Hi Shaquandway,
Right you are. Each of us can see ourselves in that "happy ending" story and relate it to our career preparation. Once students see themselves in the story they increase their motivation level to complete their studies and be successful.
Gary
