As a 20 year army veteran and instructor/evaluator, these are many of the key tenets taught to Non-commissioned Officers in professional development courses. My biggest take away is to never assume that you are the smartest one in the classroom.
"Do not try to show your students how competent you are." There will be somewhere there that is smarter. When you do you lose them.
To make sure as an educator that you establish and maintain boundaries which can help prevent role confusion, build trust, promote professionalism, and encourage student independence.
As an instructor, maintain boundaries so that they know you're a friendly ear, but not a pal.
Learn and be pro-active, understand the students and the environment we are in. Understand and have a personal development plan so that you are always learning. Education is student learning vs just plain teaching. Showing professionalism through and through to set an example.
I learned how important it is to be a cheerleader but be wary of becoming a babysitter. It is easy to slip into the role of a babysitter, especially when we care about our students and their success. Setting clear boundaries is beneficial to the teacher and student.
Comment on Michelle DeJong's post: As an instructor it is always important to remember that our students are watching us closely and learning from us. We want and need to project a professional image in all of our interactions with the students so that they will learn how to present themselves to others, as a professional.
The modeling was interesting to consider.
I learned that teaching methods should changed based on the specific topics being taught.
I think what I learned that will forever stick with me from this unit was a quote from the Harvard instructor, stating "be the mad scientist for your subject." The more excited I am about modeling my subject area, the more motivated and easier to manage my classes will become.
In addition to the reminder of the necessity for experienced instructors to refine the concept of Model, Manager and Motivator, the "5 C's" were relevant and important points of discussions presented in the module.
Leading by example is so important some of which I was unknowingly doing in my class room, but now I think about it I know it is something that can be improved in my teaching style to better help my students to be successful.
Role model positive behavior with students and motivate them
It is important that I model the attributes that I want my students to exhibit. Always being respectful, compassionate while making sure my teaching is credible and clear.
Do not assume to be the smartest person in the room. Even as an expert in the field, there is a chance that there is someone smarter in the room with you.
Be passionate about the knowledge you are sharing. But do not try to impress or prove your expertise in the subject.
Have a professional development plan. Continue to learn and grow not only for personal growth but to provide the latest and most accurate information to your students.
Model, manage, motivate.
I think it's extremely important to practice what we teach/preach to our students and to stay on top of evidence-based information whether how to put in an NG-tube or why we need to wear gloves in every patient's room regardless of diagnosis. It's really hard for students to take us seriously when we don't keep up to date with the skills and evidence-based practices as well as looking professional from head to toe!!
As a class leader, I will make sure to maintain professionalism inside and outside the classroom as well as model good behavior.
Being a good leader will take your students where they want to go. This will help your students grow.
Always maintain professionalism, enforce class room rules and make learning fun!
From this content, I have learned that my roles are to be a model, a manager and a motivator! I have reflected throughout the course on my personal experience with education/teachers - who I found to be effective and a model/motivator, and things I did not like as a student. I will take this into consideration when I start teaching my students, and will be sure to always stay up to date/educated myself so I can be a valuable asset and teacher to my students.
