An issue I had with an Older Student
As a new adjunct instructor I was given three classes to teach my first semester. Although I was a bit overwhelmed, I was confident that I could handle the workload.
Unfortunately my first day teaching one of my classes was pretty rough. I had a tough time getting used to demonstrating a software skill.
The first day ended a little badly, but one older student in particular felt like my being there was somehow cheating him out of his education.
He wrote letters to the administration to that effect, and it caused a great deal of trouble for me and my supervisor. I was unprepared for such a backlash, and I was entirely embarrassed. Later, having been paired with another instructor for the remainder of the course, did I discover that he was a known troublemaker amongst the entire teaching staff, and would often pull off stunts like this when he didn't get his way.
I want to provide a great learning environment for all of my students. However, I am quite young and I feel my age may have caused some resentment from this older student. How could I better handle a student who doesn't seem to respect you due to them being older than you?
Robert,
I appreciate you sharing your experience. I started teaching when I was very young. I teach predominately online. When I first started, I was open regarding when I graduated from school. One of my students asked how old I was. I was unprepared and told my class. Several of my students clearly had an issue with me being significantly younger than them despite my education and experience. Because of that experience, I am now vague regarding when I graduated and will not share how old I am. It probably helps that I am several years older now and catching up with my students ;)
NORMA,
Well said. Establishing yourself as the learning leading means learning to read and react to your students just as you did. Everyone benefited, including yourself from this approach and the result was success for everyone. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The older student might have been reminded that the young teacher has done more with their life. Sometimes that have been things in the student's life which we have not be privy to and this has caused some serious issues. It looks to me this has occurred here.
NORMA E. SHORR
I am an older teacher and have found my age has been a help with my older students. However, my younger students and I have had to come to a place where they can learn from me. I had one student who had less respect for me because I knew less about computers than she did. I always thanked her when she helped me and acknowledged her skill. However, I think she expected be a whiz at computers in addition to the subject matter. In the adult forum it is all about blending people from a wide spectrum.
NORMA E. SHORR
Robert,
You started your teaching career in a tough way. Sounds like you have worked through it and are developing as an instructor. It seems there is always one student that relishes writing such letters and causing issues with instructors. Make sure to document all that you do with students. By having evidence of when you did certain things, phone calls or emails exchanged you can quickly take the air out of complaints like this. Focus on your students that are enrolled because they want to be and treat this student the same way as you do them. If he continues his complaining he will lose his ability cause trouble since no one including his fellow students will listen to him.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
