Sharing your own stuggles makes you more human
I often share the struggles I encountered in my journey through college. I talk about balancing school, work, friends and family. I let them know that I have been in their shoes and I structure my classes to ease some of that strain by not assigning things on a Tuesday and making it due Wednesday. I like to give the weekend so they can fit it into their busy schedules.
Colleen
I also let the students know that I was once like them and my failures as well as my successes and how it felt when I did succeed.
Colleen,
I like that you share your school experiences with your students. I hadn't thought of doing this, but it's a good idea to make a connection.
Elaine
Most students are interested in the experience levels of the instructors who are training them for future careers. But what really interests students is how the instructor got there. Sharing your personal career obstacles and how you overcame them not only inspires, but cautions them for their future obstacles.
Hi Janet,
Thank you for sharing your own life experiences in terms of being a non-traditional student. Your experiences can and are serving as a model for your students to see how they can be successful if they will continue in school and put forth the effort.
Gary
I relate to students because I returned to school in my 30's to get my culinary degree. I had difficulties but I point out to my students how I overcame the obstacles and stayed focused and driven to succeed the whole time and if I can do that there is no reason why each of them cannot. They appreciate that and I see them feel very at ease with me and the course.
Hi Colleen,
What great planning on your part. By giving them one extra day you are accommodating their lives without compromising the content and goals of the course. Little things like this make a big difference for students.
Gary
Colleen, I agree that it is important to share the struggles we had as students and some ways we worked through them. However, once I had that backfire on me when a student complained on quarterly evals that I wasn't qualified to teach the class since I had my own struggles with school. I guess you can never tell how any one student will percieve what you share with them and I realize this student was an exception. Still, I now try to make sure I frame those types of things in a more proactive way now. Sarah F.
