A Motivating Instructor
My most motivating instructor in undergrad gave me low grades in the first course I took with her. I took that as a challenge to do better, to master the subject. It helped me learn how little I knew and how much I needed to improve.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
What traits did your most motivating instructor have?
I also share personal experiences so they know it's coming from a place of experience not just speculation.
Hi Dwayne,
Thank you for sharing this great example of seeing something you wanted to do and being willing to keep after it until you got it. Ten years is a long time but you kept your desire in the front of your mind until you achieved that goal. Keep your enthusiasm and excitement because your students I know are going to enjoy your teaching.
Gary
I had never even thought I would be instructing others when in high school. Then for a career I chose the automotive field and got an associates degree from a community college. One of the instructors was just so motivational for me to show me that instruction could be fun as well as informative. He subtly changed me and I didn't even realize it right away. He had put that desire in my head for teaching and it took time before I even had a clue it was there. After dealing with him for 2 semesters, I went out into the automotive field and was fairly successful. After being at a dealership for a few years I applied for a position as an instructor for the manufacturer I worked for. I didn't get the job and I had never been so disappointed by not getting a job before. That got me thinking maybe there is a reason I am feeling this way. That started me on my way to where I am now. It took about 10 years and a lot of not getting the job, but I never gave up. I am now doing what I feel is what I should be doing and really enjoying it.
Hi James,
You make a very good point about failure. It is easy to do and meets expectations. Success requires that decisions be made and plans implemented. Failure requires none of the above, so once failure has started it is so easy to continue. An example of this is exercise and dieting (since we have just started a new year). Within 6 weeks of starting 96% of the participants will have dropped out.
We have to work hard to show our students that success can be theirs if they are willing to put in the time and effort.
Gary
I had a very similar experience. I am a competitive
individual and I enjoyed the challenge of proving myself to this professor. I suspect you have this same trait. However, with many career college students, this early failure can start on a downward spiral. Many never recover from this early failure because they view it a a continuation of their life experience.
I find the students enjoy the information they receive when it is delivered in a way that mixes stories, funny examples,different voice inflections and animated visual movements. To stand in front of an audience,deliver material in a monotone manner, and just stand there would be somewhat like going to church. Not that there is anything wrong with that. The average age of our student population is 19 to 20 years. You have to present with excitement in a fun manner just to keep them with you. I works well for me.
Hi Gail,
And, you remember that professor to this day. This is what excitement can due when teaching.
Gary
Hi David,
Sounds like a lot of variety is offered in the way you conduct your classes. Is there anyone delivery method that your students seem to enjoy more?
Gary
I remember a professor who was so excited about the field and was involved in research that seemed to me to have real application. That made a difference to me.
When using motivational stories , I share my experiances,both good and bad with my students. I let them know there is a future if they work hard, but sucess takes on many different outcomes. I have them think of goals and their future. Their future should not be measured in hours and days, but in years. Where do you want to be in 5 or 10 years? I get them excited about their future, thank them for attending the school and use alot of body language, excitement in the delivery of the material and jokes, and funny things that have happened to me in the field of their choosing. Just a dry delivery of the facts makes for a long phase for both the instructor and the student.
I've had good results with just having students talk about their work.
Hi Paula,
Sounds like you have a very talented and dedicated instructor. When we have these types of professionals in our backgrounds we need to relish what they have taught us and professionals standards they have set for us. This will make us better instructors with our own students.
Gary
I beleive the teacher must be enthusiastic about student success.
I love to see my students when the "light bulb" goes off and they finally get the concept. That is a motivator for me.
Laura
I agree, I try to keep my student motivated by being motivated myself, if I come to class not caring and unmotivated I reflect that to my students. My student's also help keep me motivated, I love it when they get so excited to see something under the microscope.
My most motivating instructor definitely inspired by example. He also exuded a faith in his students' abilities to surpass him in professional success, even while he was very honest about ways we needed to improve. This was an impressive mix.
The teacher's whole persona should be a motivating factor for the students. The teacher can make students want to achieve a level of sophistication and knowledge just as the teacher has.
Hi Jonathan
I think in the classroom the most important is not only teaching the student but the motivation of the class, to keep a motivate class the teacher has to be motivate of his teaching material and the purpose of hi education
Eric
