Common Instructor Mistakes
One thing I learned early in my teaching career is that I don’t want to have the students look upon me as a buddy or a friend. I keep my relationship with my students on a professional level at all times.
Hi Ann,
Absolutely! Be the role model that you want your students to become!
Patricia Scales
It is important to be a rold model for students. Show them the behavior that will be expected of them in their career.
Hi Phil,
I concur! The instructor has to play both roles well and needs to be extremely careful with the personal side.
Patricia Scales
There is a fine line between being the professional leader of a class and showing personal concern for students. Both are important.
Hi James,
It would be nice to have students like us as educators, but really it is irrelevant. Set standards high, and students will rise to them. We get from students what we expect.
Patricia Scales
It's an easy mistake if you have a lack of confidence, the Sally Fields statement "they like me, they realy like me". My first class I thought that was what I needed to do to gain confidence, instead of instilling confidence. I now teach by learning from mistakes and the students have raised the bar. The more confident they are, the better they perform
I couldn't agree more. I am a very popular instructor but it is more because I can stop and be respectful and give students quality time. I have no interest in being nothing more than a role model and a professional. The fact I show a vested interest in their momentary issue is where the boundry of respect lies, for each of us and it works great!
Hi Harry,
Absolutely! Keep being the professional that you are. We need to educate students not befriend them.
Patricia Scales
