Keeping A Positive Atmosphere
Making sure that a smile is on your face daily and a positive attitude is shown is very important for your students. Your mood creates the mood in your classroom and having a positive atmosphere is very important when it comes to having a productive class.
George,
What are some specific things you do to demonstrate a positive attitude?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree. As an instructor, we need to lead by example, so I always try to maintain a positive attitude in the classroom and the lab.
Elizabeth,
Many faculty members feel frustration ay the politics at their insitutions. This includes primary and secondary school teachers as well as those at higher levels. Thesae are tough times for many career schools. However, the students in front of each day deserve the education they are investing to achieve. You are doing them a service by focusing on them.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I try so hard to keep a positive attitude everyday in the classroom. The politics that we have to face from our bosses to CEC as a corporation can really put a toll on you. No matter what, the student does not deserve to feel any type of anger, frustration and/or even confusion from you. When you stay positive and happy throughout class your students feed on that vibe and most of the time I stop thinking about the politics and without realizing it, Ive forgotten about whatever had upset me before.
I agree, a smile on your face daily is very important. Often it is easy to smile when one smiles back and this promotes a positive. The little more difficult task is actually addressing each student daily. I find it makes them feel important that you took the time to seek them out and they feel more "tuned in".
I totally agree. It is very important to stay positive. We lead by example. If we are miserable, is trickles down to my students and everything falls apart.
Tyler,
Apprpriate humor is an essential element in teaching.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree, a little humor makes the students see you as human and that you enjoy what your doing. It helps the students see that there is some fun in learning.
Humor in class, just an occasional comment, not overdone, has done wonders for lectures...both for me, and I feel it helps the students stay positive and attentive.
Jason,
Appropriate humor is a key to successful teaching. How would you define "appropriate" in this context?
Jeffrey Schillinger
i always utilize humor annd the simp0le fact of having fun for my students
Yunda,
Making learning fun is a real key. Enjoyment increases the students' likelihood of staying in chool and reaching their goals.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Diane,
Great points. The same can be said of Deans and Campus Presidents relative to their teams.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Students get their mood from their instructor. I have seen students come in smiling and happy to be there and one negative word from an instructor can change their attitude around in an instant. An unhappy instructor, makes for an unhappy class. Students look to us for direction and guidance. Making the classroom a fun, exciting, and positive place to learn is one of the keys to retention.
