The first impression that I would like my students to have of me is that I am firm but approachable and considerate.
One must always be sure that you are exercising customer care. It will always serve you if you make your students feel welcome. Acknowledge that they are there and that they are welcome. Greet them with a smile and make them feel good about being at school. They will feel more comfortable with you and with the school. This will create a comfortable confident student.
I think thatthis is a great piece of advice that i will use in may classroom. I am usually right at the board on the first day of class, but waiting by the door to greet the students is a good tip.
Seth,
Our student-customers need to be treated with professionaism and respect 100% of the time, even if the student is in the wrong or acting out.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Christi,
Try to be in the dorrway or halway at the beginning of every class meeting. Another simple technique is to briefly speak to each student when you are taking attendance as well as at some point during the lesson.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I think you can make a better first impression by simply creating more opportunities for interaction. We can sometimes judge quickly on first impressions, but they are not always accurate because we haven't spent the time to get to know one another.
Tyler,
Thanks for this post. I like to remind my faculty that we get to make a new "first impression" at the start of each class meeting. What are some things you do to get class meetings started on a good note?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I think just simply asking how everyone's weekend went or something personal. I do like to use humor at times to help break the tention, especially on stressful days.
Student customers need to be treated with respect 100% of the time, even if the student is acting out, or behaving in an unprofessional manner. It is up to us as educators to use these moments as teaching opportunities. In these moments we have a chance to teach students about professionalism. Students can learn how to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Which in my mind makes them more marketable as an employee. By treating students with 100% respect at all times, you model good professional behavior. This hopefully becomes a learning experience for the student to carry with them into the job market.
I set very clear expectations at the very beginning and make sure they understand that if they work hard to meet my expectations, I will do my best to meet theirs.
Tyler,
There are studies that show humans retain morewhen learning or a memory is attached to a strong emotion. Appropriate humor in a classroom can credte the kind of atmosphere in which learning can be more effective as laughter creates emotion.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Seth,
Nice post. No matter what they have done or how "wrong" they may seem, our students are alwys our customers and always must be treated with respect.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Cassandra,
How do you determine what each of your students expects from you and the institution?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Greet them BY NAME, and with a smile, and good eye contact.
AS a student, I think the first thing I am looking for is to know that the teacher cares if or not I pass the class. If she cares, I care. If i can tell it really doesnt matter to her and sne is just doing her job, I am concerned if I will get help if I need it. It also is not as important to pass, as the instructor doesnt care.
What method I use is to meet them at the classroom door on the first day of class, smile and say a short greeting. I then spend approx. the first hour taking time to get to know them as iI also introduce myself.
I'm always in class early to make sure everything is prepared. I smile and say good morning to students as they come in, however I could use their names more often during the greeting.
First impressions are made visually. So other than how you present yourself, eye contact with a smile; says quit a lot about a person.
Dawn,
Using names is a powerful way to connect with folks. There are many websites that provide "tricks" for learning names quickly. Check some out.
Jeffrey Schillinger
First impression is a lasting one people always say. Smile and greet all students with the respect that they deserve, try to learn their names and something about them. As instructors dress according to the policy and procedures, because they are watching and taking notes of everything that you do the first time they meet you. Let it be a warm welcome that leaves a positive impression.
