Confidence
I have been noticing many new teachers that come into teaching and for a long time they blame their mistakes on the fact that they are new. This bothers me. I agree with many that have said we are only human and like any other are prone to make mistakes. However, we should be more accountable for those mistakes and simply move on. Help students to know they can count on you, but they can also rely on you to be a real person, accountable for what you do. Have confidence in your abilities. Students do not like when teachers are not confident in their abilities, because then they will be unsure of their own.
In the beginning, I tried to show my confidence based on knowledge of subject matter. But this backfires because you just can't know everything. Now I feel comfortable saying "I don't know" because I do have confidence in my abilities. I think students appreciate when I say that.
As a new instructor. I have had experience in an informal setting but not a formal setting. I can only say I have a new respect for education. It is alot of work both at work and at home. It takes time just like everything else to grow wings and fly with confidence. That being said I think that people are human and if you hear another teacher saying that take them to the side and help to guide them. Help them gain confidence. By letting it go you are also letting the students down, but by helping you are helping both the students and the new teacher. Its hard being new and some people are just afraid to ask for it. So I say offer your experience and just maybe you can help another "new" teacher grow into a "great" teacher.
Hi Vivian,
Absolutely! It is an extremely high correlation of preparation and confidence.
Patricia Scales
My confidence comes in my knowledge of the material I teach. The more prepared I am, the more confidence that I can impart.
Obviously there is a need for students to have confidence in their instructors. This is key to the success of the students as well as the success of the instructor and ultimately the program. New instructors need to keep in mind that they are experienced in the field that they are teaching and that this experience will carry them a long way in the classroom.
Hi Travis,
Great response! It is simple, if the instructor does not believe in himself/herself, the students are not going to believe in them either. Having confidence is a must in the classroom for instructors. Being new is not an excuse to not be confident.
Patricia Scales
