Become an inspiring coach to your students
The greatest motivator I have ever had was my high school football coaches. They had a very unique talent of crticizing lackluster performance, while at the same time encourqing us to always strive for excellence regardless of the environment or the opponent. If, as instructors, we can all become coaches in our classes, we will find a much greater effort from our students and they will strive for excellence.
Hi Jennifer,
In each field experts like yourself can serve as coaches. By expanding your influence beyond just the skill development you are helping to motivate the students and advise them how they can achieve their career goals. That is what career coaching is about.
Gary
Good point Bryant! I've always thought coaches were great motivators--people who could bring out the best on and potentially off the field.
I'm wondering what happens when someone doesn't have a sports coach? Who else could tackle this specialized field?
Hi Alyson,
We often talk about how critical the first impression is and it is. But, the last contact is important as well. Your approach enables students to learn from their efforts after your critique but always leave with a positive feeling about what they have done right and well. This really sets them up for the next class meeting in a positive way.
Gary
Coaching is a huge part of being a motivating teacher. It is always important to find out about each student early and how much encouragement each one needs. Each dish presented each day gets a thorough critique but the most important part of the critique is the positive parts which i always reserve for the end. This way the student walks away with the positive reinforcement in their head.
I agree. Individual feedback is important to motivation. Positive feedback and clear steps to resolution (when necessary) can help any student direct their focus and achieve course success.
Miss Kim
Hi Asha,
Great example of a instructor that had an impact on you even though you were never that close. We all have different personalities and we conduct ourselves accordingly. So we know we can find our instructional style as we progress in our professional development. Whether we are liked or not we should always be respected as a result of our experience, dedication and student centered teaching.
Gary
My favorite instructor didn't really like me and pushed me away when ever I tried to get closer to her mentally. But that experience helps me be better at what I do now. I liked that she was very well read and full of knowledge and that is what drew towards her.
Chef Currie,
I think there are many students on all levels of education who feel the same about athletics coaches. I feel that for many of them, it is having someone take a genuine interest in their success that inspires them to succeed. For too many students, there is no one who pays them the one-on-one attention and expects quality performance from them to warrant the effort. Many students may not work hard for themselves but will work hard for another individual who has taken the time to show that they care about and expect success from that student. I think that personal connection is something that is key as well.
Being a Role Model is a great responsibility.
I proudly accept the challenge of making a difference for my constituents. Living the dream has many joys, however teaching it is blessed.
Chef Fernando Martinez
Hi Gerald,
The human factor as a part of teaching is essential. The students know that you care about their success and that you are willing to help and support them as the course progresses. This is why personal feedback is so critical and successful. Keep up the good work.
Gary
I realized early on in my college education that the instructors who took time to give me individual feedback (making suggestions, giving examples, etc.) was a great motivator for me.
