David,
What are one or two sprcific things you do in class to set that example?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I inspire my students by leading by example and being passionate about what I do. Enthusiasm can be very contagious pushing everyone to be more efficient.
I make sure I bring industry people to critique and comment on their work but mostly to talk about how they make it to where they are now. At the same time I bring different graduated students who made it into the industry and how it is for them so these students get some perspective and gain confidence that they also are able to make it to where they will like to be.
Discuss opportunities to give back to the community - there are so many ways to help and it helps an organization but it also makes the person volunteering feel great about themselves.
I find the way to become an example through how I teach, demo and say. These usually can be self determined or brought about through personal experience (positive or negative) to be able to provide these as examples to people. It gives the why to what and how I work.
Share with them my experiences, challenges and successes as a student and graduate. Connect them with students and graduates who have been successful. And be available for questions and support, big or small.
Jeffrey,
What are some specific thing done at your campus to create and maintain a "team" feeling?
Jeff Schillinger
I try with my co-workers to explain their action or in-action can affect other workers ability to do their job. I'd present the thought 'if I were doing their job' I'd make sure of X so the person I'd be passing the work on to would feel a seamless and coordinated effort was being made. In short, teamwork, that by definition makes working at this school more fun.
Susan,
There is a lot to be said for the Pygmalion effect - the influence we have on someone when we truly believe in them. They cannot help but to start believing in themselves.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I think we all, as humans, have times in our lives when we feel powerless. If we are lucky....and I think our students are just that...then we happen upon people who teach us that how we feel about ourselves and the world around us directly effects our ability to succeed. If someone is told they cannot do something, often they will internalize that belief to the point that they will not be able to do it. Our school does a great job of taking time to meet with students at risk and build students up so they can see their true potential. Sometimes, we (staff and management) do it for each other, as well.
Often I will share some of my own personal successes as well as my less than glorious acheivements. I think that by sharing personal stories one can give a student a different perspective on possible career paths that they may have never considered possible.
Giving your students real world examples of that they can do can and how you have made in impact will help them see the difference they can make.
Eileen,
The impact of a teacher's beliefs about a student cannot be overstated. Thanks for this post.
Jeffrey Schillinger
The theory behind the Pygmailian effect is that teacher expectations influence student performance. Positive expectations influence performance positively, and negative expectations influence performance negatively.
Faculty who value their students’ abilities create a climate of success.
Our students are encouraged to be the best of the best. Their self-efficacy is reinforced because through our verbal and non verbal communication they feel we believe in them, therefore they believe in themselves.
Richard,
What do you mean by "jolting comment?" Please provide an example.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Sometimes a jolting comment will get their attention and then you can make something happen!
I like to remind those around me that we can not bring about positive change without making steps to make it happen. We have to own issues, come up with a plan, and get involved! Often, the team is supportive if you can show why it matters to our students.
Real life stories, relate to the according to their area of study.
Lead by example with positivity and the belief of what great things are possible for the students and staff.
I agree, everyone gets into the tunnel mode at one point or another. As instructors we need to take a moment and reflect every once in a while. Stand back and remember when you were a student, put yourself in their shoes and ask would this work for you?
Dr. Rogers
