Personally greeting each student at the door preceding class
Supports the human aspect
Hi Charles,
Professional dress should be based upon the standards of the career area. That can be a suit and tie, business casual, scrubs, a uniform, etc. The key is that you be dressed appropriate for the field so your students can see what is going to be expected of them when they are out working.
Gary
I have been told by a superior that wearing a suit and tie to teach can be a barrier to getting students to relax and open up in class. I really prefer to look clean and professional.
Hi Michael,
You have to set the standards of the class as required by the industry in this auto technology. Once those standards have been explained, a reminder each day about safety and dress can be mentioned, to reinforce the students plus show that you intend to maintain these standards throughout the course.
If a student does not meet the standards of the course then he/she should be removed from the course, which puts them back in contact with their POs and they have to decide what their next career step is going to be. You can offer them support and encouragement plus instructional assistance but if they do not chose to be successful then it is their failure not yours that will impact their future.
Gary
At my automotive school we have a dress and safety policy. My current class has poor attendance, and then when they do show up, I spend the rest of the day telling them to tuck their shirts in, keep their safety glasses on, etc. Many of my students have much baggage, have to see their PO etc, and are rebellious about following rules. Some of them are in school because they were given the choice of prison or school, so they begrudgingly show up. How do I deal with all these problems.
Greeting them first thing accomplishes more than just the personal connection. It sets a tone that you are a manager of the class and I found it to be a benefit with class control without even having to say anything other than the greeting. The ability to look every one in the eye tells you who is prepared for the day, who may have some troubles before they entere class that need your ear, and also give you an idea of how much energy you need to kick the class off with.
A meet and greet is without a doubt a great way to gauge your students but more importantly, it allows your student their first chance to gauge you. When you are at the front door to greet your students with a smile and even throw in some kind words like “looking good today”, “Way to look professional”, “Nice looking work boots, way to set the standard” can give them a boost and let them know that you have acknowledged that their efforts to impress you have not gone unnoticed.
Hi Valerie,
It really does make a difference in the classroom management area. That teacher at the door just sets the tone for the day.
The late teachers may need to have a little talking to because by one coming in late they are sending a very clear signal that they are only going to show up when they have to. What kind of message does this send to the students, especially when assignments are due?
Gary
I really like this idea. I think that it might be difficult to enforce though. As it is, I have a hard time getting instructors to arrive in class on time. The worst offenders are those who teach in pairs. There is always one of the two that says he/she doesn't need to arrive until after attendance etc....
Nonetheless, I think having a teachers tanding at the door with a smile would make a difference.
Yes but it also gives you a feel for the classes attitude or level of conscienceness.It will also help you plan on your teaching style for the day or maybe you'll just go directly to lab.
Greeting a student before class can show a student that you aknowledge them as a person rather that a piece of meat in a seat.
I had not considered this approach but it makes sense. My approach is to have each student state his/her name and I repeat it to them and make it a point to address each student by their name for the first few days. We seem to get to connect with one another faster that way. I will give this idea a try.
This is a standard policy at our school. It tends to serve several purposes at the same time. It gives you an instant temerature reading on the student in case he is out of his normal demeanor. It also shows a good level of empathy and open a oppertunity if a students needs to talk. We have a dress code policy and this allows us to give some of the students a little tune-up as they enter the room.
Hi Gregg,
The modeling part of being a teacher is to dress and conduct one's self in such a manner that you reflect the standards of the field. You can also ask that your students dress appropriately and safely for the career area. You should not put yourself in the position of policing dress. This sets up the wrong atmosphere for the class. Through example and encouragement you can help your students to "grow" in their understanding of the what is acceptable in the work place.
Gary
I can see the advantage of doing it on the first day of class but I have doubts where or not I can do it on a daily basis. Is that what we are talking about here? As far as checking for dress code violations do you address that at the same time or later? I seems it could turn into a defensive or disciplinary process.
Hi Ken,
In some ways I envy you as you have that ability to greet your students. Online training makes that a little difficult, the best I can do is to add a page or screen with a greeting which is not very personal. Sending an email after they have enrolled is another alternative, it just does not hit home.
Do you perhaps have any suggestions?
We have a "Meet & Greet" policy. This gives the students a welcome to the class and gives the Instructor a chance to screen students entering the classroom for dress code infractions.
I think that the "meet and Greet" idea is great, For a couple of reason the main reason is it lets the student know that you do care about them, and also for schools that has a dress code it gives the instructor to correct any gress code issues before the class starts.
Hello Todd:
I must admit to sometimes feeling such a lack of time that I visit and wait for all the students to be seated before the bell and do not pay attention to speaking with each individual and calling them by name. I will speak to each student and call tem by name from now on! Last semester I began a class on the first day, knowing that we would be out a day for a holiday and feeling the pressure of getting all the information in during a shorter time span, without even intruducing myself or letting the students know about MY background. I want to begin this new semester on a more relaxed note!
Beth in Texas
this practice is a SOP (standard operating procedure) at our campus.
