New Instrructor Concerns
Hello! I am a Certified Surgical Technologist. I worked in a hospital setting for two years before taking my current position as a Surgical Technology Instructor. I have such a passion for teaching but it is different to be in a class room setting after precepting in a hopsital setting for so long. Any tips or suggestions would be great for me as I start my journey as a Surgical Technology Intructor.
~ Be consistent- students will test your boundaries conscious & unconsciously, like a child does to their parent.
~Know your department philosophy and policies so you can run your classroom according to policy and not according to the student's situation because you do this one time and it spreads like wild fire. This is called poor classroom management and it can become a disease for your class.
~ Be in alignment with the other Teachers in your dept.so you all say the same thing in your curriculum, especially lab.
Set up one & one interviews with your students when they start so you can get to know who they are and what their life is like outside the classroom, this invariably always affects your classroom. ie..absences, tardies. It's more time on the front end but worth it in paperwork for probation etc..later.
Be prepared and do your lesson plans- Students know when you are not ready for them and that is a open invitation for unprofessionalism on your side & theirs. Cell phones come out and extra bathroom breaks happen as you stumble to get your self ready.
All of these above come with time but you want students to respect you each day when you go home. Be genuine and caring with a boundary line of integrity and you will do well!
Good luck!
~ Be consistent- students will test your boundaries conscious & unconsciously, like a child does to their parent.
~Know your department philosophy and policies so you can run your classroom according to policy and not according to the student's situation because you do this one time and it spreads like wild fire. This is called poor classroom management and it can become a disease for your class.
~ Be in alignment with the other Teachers in your dept.so you all say the same thing in your curriculum, especially lab.
Set up one & one interviews with your students when they start so you can get to know who they are and what their life is like outside the classroom, this invariably always affects your classroom. ie..absences, tardies. It's more time on the front end but worth it in paperwork for probation etc..later.
Be prepared and do your lesson plans- Students know when you are not ready for them and that is a open invitation for unprofessionalism on your side & theirs. Cell phones come out and extra bathroom breaks happen as you stumble to get your self ready.
All of these above come with time but you want students to respect you each day when you go home. Be genuine and caring with a boundary line of integrity and you will do well!
Good luck!
Hi Ashley -
I can absolutely agree with Michelle's recommendations. I am a Registered Veterinary Technician, and managed a veterinary practice for 5 years before taking a teaching position in an RVT program. I definitely approach my classroom the way I would an employee meeting. I follow an agenda, have activities to provide students with opportunities to apply what I am teaching. Thus far, I haven't really had a problem with an unruly class. Good luck!
Ashley,
Bring the passion you have for your field into the classroom. I can tell you are excited about becoming a teacher and you need to share that excitement with your students. Be confident, prepared and organized. Be the learning leader by using the 3 M model. You need to model what a person in your field should be like, manage the education environment so effective and efficient learning can occur and then motivate your students by showing them the human side of your profession. Not every student will be engaged in terms of what you are teaching but do not let them pull you down. You are going to impact their lives so make sure you work on earning their respect and developing rapport with them and you will do fine as an educator. I wish you much teaching success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michelle,
Thank you for sharing this great advice with our beginning instructors.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Aaron,
What are some examples of how to be such?
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
