I come to class at least 30 minutes before the class starts and remain in the classroom during the breaks. This allows me opportunities to speak with students as they come in and also during the breaks. I set up my classroom so that I can walk among the students and I do. I make eye contact with each student during the lecture and offer openings for class participation. I tell them that they all have opinions that we would like to hear and encourage them to raise their hands. I try my best to put out small fires before they escalate into bigger ones.
I try to get to know my students on a personal level as well as encouraging class discussion. When you make an effort to ask them questions about their personal goals, they feel that you care and it allows them to feel more confident about themselves.
Hello Roy,
Nicely stated! Respect is something that is earned not demanded. Generally, if you respect your students, your students will respect you. From your statement, I can tell you are respected because you respect your students.
Patricia
Gain the respect of your students and treat them respectfully.
Develop fair grading practices and apply them consistently.
If a student is performing poorly, approach them about wanting to remedy the situation. Don't wait for the students to sit around thinking up ways to blame others.
Hello Jennifer,
Some students will open up to you and others will not. The biggest thing is to find someone they will open up to.
Patricia
First I try to get the student to talk to me about the problem. If they won't talk to me, then I try to find some one who they will talk too. (student counsel rep, DOE, student services, etc.)
Then we sit down and disect the problem until we can either work it out- or until I can't do any more- and I'll refer them to some one who can help.
Hi Sir Roy,
How do you use class discussions to work out complaints pertaining to your lecture?
Patricia
Class discussions seem to work out many complaints and know where the teacher is coming from and also where the students are coming from.
Hello Philipp,
Our profession is very challenging and trying. Keep working hard and trying. It sounds like you take a great and professional approach to various situations.
Patricia
Listening obviously is key; however not being afraid to look at your work objectively while under direct scrutigny, and to change for the good of the learning process even in spite of yourself.
This I find is very difficult when dealing with a demanding and challenging student, it requires instructors not to react when being chanllenged and try to focus on defusing the anger and getting to the real issue.
I can only hope that one day I will act this wise, but in the mean time I will keep trying.
Hi Burke,
It is important to students to know that his/her instructor cares. Continue to be a caring instructor, and you will impact many lives positively.
Patricia
I like to give more one on one time with the individual student. I think it give them a sense of security that the instructor really cares about them.
Hi Rick,
Continue to keep your students engaged! Students love to know that they instructors are available to help them. I like the idea of you getting input from your students as to how to make the class even better. Keep up the good work!
Patricia
Hi Gabriel,
Nicely said. You are right. You are not unique to a number of students attending your institution with police records. I've encounted many of these in my 20-year tenure. These type of students are survivors, and they can "read" you easily. They will quickly determine wether you are genuine or fake.
Patricia
A number of our students arrive with police records; I'm sure we're not unique. I've been told many times by these students that "respect" is the number one thing they expect. Many of them also believe that they can easily spot insincerity, tension, and prejudice in their instructors. Once a teacher crosses into that territory, they've lost all credibility.
I believe that most students are very closely attuned to non-verbal cues. An instructor can try to implement all the good strategies they want to, but if the eyes betray them, they cease to exist as a positive influence, for all intents and purposes.
I try to get my students engauged from the get go. I also let them know that i will make myself availible for tutorial before and after class. With the complaint area I like to ask my students throughout the course if there was anything different that could have been done to make the class better. This seems to make them feel more a part of the learning process.
Hi Eric,
You are right! Our students do come from different backgrounds and walks of life, and each student should be handled individually. The classroom must always be a place that is conducive to learning.
Patricia
As always we are dealing with a diverse group of individuals. They have different backgrounds and histories that they bring into the classroom. I feel we as teachers need to address the silent, angry, overbearing, happy, sad, ect. student with different approaches. We cannot let the classroom ever get out of hand as a learning environment and we must always foster a healthy positive place for all to grow in.
Hi Gary,
Aren't you very proud whenver you had impact turning a student into a star student? This makes teaching worth every minute!
Patricia
Hi James,
Absolutey, make it know up front what are the expectations. You generally get from students what you expect.
Patricia
