Don't forget why you have the job.
I've seen to many instructors forget why they are where they are. To many get in an ego trip. They want to show the students just how smart they are compared to the students. Just remember with out the students you wouldn't have a job.
Hi Mika,
Great attitude! I believe this to be true if we will only open up our minds to receive the information that is being shared.
Gary
I think I accutuly learn more from our students everyday!!
I cannot agree further with you Lauren. We as Instructors must leave our egos and fame outside the classrooms. We are actually learning from our students as well! They can teach us every day as longer we understand our pourpouse about our career. We are there for them and they are our main responsability.They come first.
Lauren, I agree. Many people I see fall into a rut or are disgruntled and forget that at one time they loved teaching. I like the section that talks about refocusing and getting back to where we began. The love of teaching should be a reminder and if it is not enough then we should. revisit. I will always say that it is the love of the work not the money that keeps me motivated.. Great post.
I try to remember the teachers that I held a lot of respect for and why I had the respect for them.
I enjoy learning and teaching so I keep that vision of the experience as my main focus. Education is an important part of everyone's life and if I can help with this step of their life, I feel I have done my job.
I know that my job is there only because of the students being there to learn.
If they already knew the answers they wouldnt need us.
Hi Tom,
There are many different ways of developing an instructional style that is focused on student learning. A true instructor has the confidence to deliver the content without letting personality get in the way.
What are some ways that you have found to help you identify your teaching style?
Gary
perhaps chest beating egomaniac teaching styles act as smoke screen masking lack of confidence.
Hi Michael,
Great attitude. Teaching is both enjoyable and rewarding we just have to stop and refresh ourselves on that once in a while when we get overwhelmed with all that we have to do or have had a tough day with a challenging student.
Gary
I agree, I know too many teachers that teach for the wrong reasons. This is the greatest job in the world and we should enjoy it.
Ego tripping is a terrible thing, but there never should be a fear in the instructor to show that they're smarter. Students are there to learn, and while it can be difficult if the students are similar age to the teacher or older, there needs to be a certain firmness about academic rigor. We know more than students. That's why we're teachers. Firemen are better at putting out fires. Bakers can bake bread. We can teach English and accounting, and we shouldn't be afraid to be vocal. Now that said, we should humiliate students, but we should never be reticent.
I was told to remeber where I came from when I got my instructor job, I try to remember that every day and I get irritated when other instructors put the students down. It really makes me feel good when I hear about a student doing exceptionally well in the field.
Being a part of an individual’s learning progression is a great privilege. Instructor would do well to realize that others’ futures are greatly affected by their interactions and how they relay the material. Instructors play a major role in how well the students do in the course. Tailoring the presentation and deliver to each classes individual needs is important.
Hi Lauren,
Well said. The students have to remain the focus of the instructional process. If they don't then teaching can quickly become a real "hard"job instead of a great professional opportunity.
Gary
