Mark Galan

Comment on Mindy Hodge's post: This is exactly what I felt from this lesson. Thanks for expressing this fluently here.

A good focal point as an instructor is to gauge the differences in ages in the classroom. Differences in age may hinder both the younger students as well as older students in different ways. For example, older students have different motivations as to why they would choose the aviation career path from an intrinsic perspective also while the younger students who come with many tools from their High Schools see the aviation career path as an adventure and not focus in on academics as one would like. This myopic approach can prevent the younger groups to lose interest in the… >>>

I'm surprised to learn that teachers provide a syllabus as part of their class instruction and is a living contract between student/instructor during the time the block is active. What an informative way to improve my teaching abilities and arming me with the tools needed to aid students on a path to success.

Comment on Richard Razzone's post: I couldn't have summarize this in one concise statement as you have here summarized. Nice work Richard.

In summary I can just say from reading this lesson that humans have a very limited attention span of 10-15 minutes and can retain only up to 5-7 instructional steps. So, with these ranges working in my favor the odds are greater at missing more of the material that is planned for my presentations. Therefore, learning must be in fact highest quality material selected and presented in such a conversational way that prevents over saturating my students with a barrage of facts that will simply not stick. 

Addressing my students directly by name once they come into class and starting… >>>

First impressions are lasting impressions. Introducing yourself to the classroom is and should be first and foremost. This gives you a chance to establish yourself as the authority in the class sharing with them your experience and credentials to officiate instruction. If problems should arise you are a person that they can come to when dust settles (trust) and a person of high integrity (conscious effort to do the right thing even when no one is looking). The opportunity to meet your students is nevertheless of equal importance after all they are paying the bills to continue our profession. Learning… >>>

This lesson taught me one of the most important tools an instructor can have and that is a syllabus. The best way to be an effective instructor is to have a written contract between you and the students. This contract should give a direction of the class goals and objectives, timeliness of testing blocks and assignments, and last but not least the progress each has made to meet accreditation for class attendance and performance. 

Comment on Shayna Sykes's post: Oh that's for sure. Great input! Because how can I discuss what happens to me after work to my student who may not even patronize the style of life I choose to live for example. Pal's can definitely stay out the classroom.

From these passages I've learned that what you bring to the table has both strengths and weaknesses. I've learned that there are many resources including my colleagues to access great teaching strategies to become a better educator, model, and over professional at what I do with my classroom. So the horizon is nonetheless very bright for the future that this career can breath into my life.