Mark Roberts

First Impressions, Reach For Great Impressions!

First impressions need to be great impressions, this sets the guidlines and attitude for the whole course. Don't be affraid to be a bit crazy, forward, outlandish, wild, or happy. When the students see this they follow suite and really open up. I used to be hard core to the point of militant, now I sing, dance, ask questions they may not know but soon will know the answers to, and I do this as they come into class the first day. Once I got thier attention we cover the basics and they alltypically know the answers and they are almost giving the opening day speach on rules and regulations. Then let them know the guidlnes will be followed and what is up and coming.I try to keep this intense level each and every day as hard as it sometiomes get, to show that learning can be fun, exciting, and doesn't have to be gray and boreing. First impressions need to last the whole course through and not just on that first day. I see too many instructors fall into this hole, where their first impression was good then fall away,this will make students angry and it will show up on the course evaluations. Stay the course as an instructor, be happy, be excited, reach out, be part of every students education and you'll see great things come from them when they know you believe in them. So don't be average, be great and reach for the stars.