Get Your Students Hired
A smile and a short hello how are you doing will go along way to making a good first impression
Theresa,
That is great. It is important that teachers remember that we get to make a new "first impression" each day class meets. the few minutes before class starts and the first few minutes of class are really important.
Jeffrey Schillinger
The first day of class I make sure my classroom is clean, organized and inviting. I will have light music playing as students enter the room. I greet everyone with a hello and smile. I teach dental assisting classes and make sure my scrubs and lab coat are clean and pressed.
Human beings form a "First Impression" in 2 to 5 seconds. How can you make a better first impression with your students?
Be ready and waiting for them. Have everything prepared early so when you meet the students for the first time they have your complete attention.
If you are warm up front and approachable and fair in your approach, it will create a comfortable atmosphere for the students. However, you need to be direct can clear on what is expected of them, they need this too
This is so true! It is important to be positive with students each and every day. I also thank students for being in my class and for deciding to go back to school.
welcome them and tell them how you think this will be one of their most enjoyable classes
A smile, a welcoming greeting, excitement in your voice and preparation! From the very beginning, put into practice a varied and interesting presentation to catch their undivided attention.
Students need to know you're excited about what you're teaching/providing them to feel excited and motivated themselves.
They also need to know you're excited to be part of their lives and the decision they have made to improve their lives.
Let them know at the very first that not only what you are teaching them is important but they and their success are important to you.
This will set the tone and help to gaurantee the overall classroom experience.
Be punctual, be prepared, be open and kind. Set the example. You'll be surprised at the effort they will put forth and the participation you will receive from them.
Well said, Anne.
I like to think about the "first impression" when I plan lessons and interact with my students. i want them to feel good when they come to me class and I want the first theing we do to set the mood for the day. I try to make a good "first impression" at the start of each class period.
The "First Impression" is so critical---I feel we live in a world that only gives us ao much time to accomplish "many things" including this "First Impression". Many of the students that we instruct want immediate gratification--so if you are always smiling and talking to them , they do remember those experiences. If you have a bad day, you cannot bring it to the classroom--my medical background has taught me to leave my problems at home when I go to work as I have many problems there to deal with which follows through in vocational teaching. You have to remember that each one is a person who needs your concern to accomplish what is needed to succeed. Its a continual process and some do take more effort!!!
I think that they should feel our excitement as well. I teach online as well, fortunately in "voice" mode which makes it better.....
One way to form a good first impression is to walk the talk and exude confidence (self) and competence. That means to stand tall, smile, greet students as they come in, have a neat classroom and be prepared for the delivery of course content. When I say be prepared I mean to pace the class where there is amply “instruction†but also time for questions and answers and student discussion. The delivery will set the tone for the how the students feel about getting to your classroom during subsequent classes. They will look forward to the experience or think of it as having to take the medicine. I like the point in the material presented about putting off administrative details until after the first 10 minutes or so of class so that students can really experience YOU during that time. I also think that student involvement in the class will prevent that 80 percent or so of the class where they tune out (to a lecture or film for example.) I also have found that panel discussions of student and instructor with the class on the assignment for the session to be motivating. I ask for “prepared†students initially (volunteers) but then go more for a selection method as the students know what to expect. The discussion would be for 10 or maybe 15 minutes of the class. The last 10 minutes of class should be a summary, a look ahead and administrative tasks not yet completed. I also hand out materials (graded assignments and so forth) at the very end of class to avoid focus on that during the class. First impressions equal the first “take†of the instructor and that first class or session.
I always greet them with a smile, look straight to their eyes, and always talk to them on a sweet friendly tone of voice.
I think that you need to look the person in the eyes and make that connection, smile and ask how they are doing, but don't walk away, stay and listen to what they have to say. Be genuine, people know when you are just skating by, but not really interested.
Welcome them to the class with excitement. If students feel that the instructor is excited to have them there, they will more likely feel that the class is going to be successfull.
I believe a better first impression can be made by being friendly, outgoing and SMILE. People like to be noticed, being spoken to and feeling that they matter. I think this is even more important for those who are a little shy and timid. Many times, they seem as though they don't "deserve" to be acknowledged. I want to change that perception.
Great point, Mary. Teaching efectively online requires a communication skill set that needs to be well-developed. We need to intentionally make sure our students know we are glad they are in our class and that we are "smiling" at them.
I do not have the opportunity to SMILE at the student since I teach online, but I let them hear it. I encourage them to call anytime and I use positive language when writing even in difficult situations.
First and foremost, SMILE! :) And smile with you eyes also. I always introduce myself by my first name. This helps to break the ice.