Trust and Understanding
I struggle a bit with this one as I feel that students need to be challenged. As a result, they often complain and act unprofessional...it is this behavior that runs me down. The challenge is that I am not that sympathetic to their woes...their adults and are choosing to do what they are doing and I want to do my best job for them, but I can't change the curriculum to better suit their needs as it is completely put together by a committee no where near the classroom.
Scott
These are good points. Thank you!
Hi Amanda,
Adults can be a challenge but their challenges can also be a part of the creative process in instructional planning. They keep you on your toes and can help you with the development of your classroom management skills. Look at the challenges as ways to increase your knowledge of the field and ability to handle adversity.
Gary
This is a challenge for me, as well. My students and I are "in the same boat," but it seems that there is sometimes an impulsive reaction to the person standing in front of the classroom: that s/he is a teacher who must be "challenged." Clasroom management with adults is a difficult area to navigate.
Hi Paula,
You make a good point about the need for balancing between extending mercy and dropping the hammer. To be most accurate in our determining how to handle each situation we need to learn as much as we can about each student and the backgrounds they bring to class.
Gary
Scott,
I have experienced complaints and unprofessionalism as well and have little power over the curriculum and text book choices.
It is easy to get sucked into the complaints and feel run down.
I think the biggest thing that I do is maintain my enthusiasm. It may be a required course and the students are not happy to be there. But, I find ways to liven the atmosphere. I do this by playing games (jeopardy, debates, etc.), use you tube clips, go on field trips, have guest speakers, etc. This way there is enough variety and excitement to suit a variety of learners. Thsi keeps the students on their toes, hopefully exctied to find out what we are gonig to do the following week.
Laura
I agree that finding the right balance in this is challenging. I understand that my student may have worked twelve hours before coming to class, and at home his wife and children resent his time spent away from them because of his commitment to his career goals. Still, he must be responsible to turn assignments in on time. Giving grace and extra credit generally adds to my workload. It is a true balancing act to know when to act justly or extend mercy.
I believe you have to build trust with each student. In the first couple of weeks of each new class...I have the students write me a letter. Explaining what brought them here, where they have been and anything else they want to share...I also write the students a letter. I explain the challenges ive overcome in my life that have made me the women I am today. Its amazing how after they read my letter-the fact that I shared with them some personal experiences-they think of me not only as a teacher, but as someone that has been where they are. the letters from the students also help me to understand where they have been and what goes on in their lives outside of school. Its amazing the trust this lesson has built...
I agree Larry. Listening to their individual needs and "excuses" can really help them feel valued and understood. I recently was complimented by a student when she told me she knows I really care about her personal situation. I had to stop and think...wonder how I made her feel that way. It makes me more aware of how I spend my time in the office. I now look at students who drop by as another opportunity to support them, instead of a distraction to my office work.
Hi Larry,
You make a number of good points about how to earn the respect of your students. If they have trust in you and that you will follow through on what you say then respect and rapport follows.
Gary
Trust and understanding I feel is most important. I found the best way to establish those with the students is to have a broad subject base to be able to answer questions in what ever way it can be understood by the students. Always be truthful with your students, if you don't know, don't fabricate go find the right answer. Also if you say you are going to do something,do it. this along with a little empathy will go a long way.
I understand what you are saying Scott, I struggle with this myself.
I have had several terms over the years where EVERYTHING was going wrong, personal issues to computer problems to health, yet I was always there to teach my class and was prepared because it's my job after all. It's a little hard to hear the sometimes unending litany of excuses and complaints from some students when you are going through hell yourself but hey, YOU'RE there and doing what your supposed to!
Here's my one little suggestion... I am very personable with my students. Often if I am having a "bad day" or a rough time, I share a bit of it. Yeah, they still expect me to be prepared to teach them, but sometimes the kindness and empathy my student's give me gets me through it. So I try (not always successfully, I'll admit) to do the same for them.
Hold them accountable, but express empathy or concern. Sometimes a smile or a "gosh I am so sorry to hear that." Goes a long way with them, even if I am docking a grade due to lateness or it being an obvious "rush job". I give them the grade they DESERVE, but try to let them know I hear them. When I pull it off instead of just getting annoyed, it helps them and I feel a little less run down by them.
Hope this helps!
Hi Scott,
Sounds like you have a very good feel for the way your class is to be conducted. By making the course personal to your instructional style you are able to stay within the curriculum guidelines and meet the needs of your students.
Gary
The "understanding" part of this equation is the hardest for me. I recieved a great bit of advice from one of my EM's. He told me to look at my bad days or students bad days, to turn to the course and look at it as a break from the daily grind. This makes the understanding part a little easier.
