One of my biggest stressors is when we are asked to complete tasks with out any sort of training, when we are given a certain task and are then asked to get it done at a certain time.

I like to print off calenders for my students at the beginning of the term. I then go thru with them when everything is due.

I really enjoyed the course the more I begin to read the more I realize that class management is a must. I've had several situations that I have encountered in my class, and I can say being clam is much needed to handle any situation. Class management has to start from the beginning of the class until the end. The different Instructors styles were so obvious, I did notice that I was a guide, but I can use fine tuning to become even better.

I stress out about almost everything. I love the boring and routine days. When something new occurs, I panic. I have noticed that I have a poor short-term memory and difficulty concentrating on tasks and felt burned-out. Even when I plan for the "what if's" I still seem to have some sort of stress. I reduce my stress with exercise and gardening, so the winter months are the worst time of year for me.

Cliques occur in the classroom and can embody a power in numbers effect if not managed properly. Here are some tips. 1. Allow the cliques to work together in groups. Keeping a group together creates a section which can be managed easier than if spread across the classroom. 2. Encourage them to work amongst themselves. This approach is a win win, learning is enforced and distractions are reduced. 3. If a problem is presented from the group, walk over and calmly address the problem to the entire group. Making a huddle creates a team feeling, and since you are talking, it makes you the leader of that team. Everyone will get on board.

I believe that you must begin with being professional yourself as an instructor. You must also remember that respect begets respect. Once the students see that you are there to assist in their success a positive classroom environment should follow.

I teach Automotive Technology and have found that students utilizing smart phone have a definite advantage. Some look up specific vehicle specifications, while others take pictures of components before disassembly to aid them in reassembly.

One of the things I live by is" Don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today". I don't however mean get everything done today for fear of tomorrow, but if you can get something done today, then do it. For you never know what tomorrow will bring. For example, I once worked at a State Prison, and I would always complete my paperwork before I went home. One time we had a 2 day lockdown, which meant we would not be able to access our office's to complete certain tasks. I over heard many people that day complaining that they had not completed certain task's the day before.

I was always the youngest one in the crownd and the fear was about respect.

It is very important to understand their behavior. The whole class can be disturbed because of one person. Observe and interact with students helps the communication and the better flow of the class.

Unprepared students are a problem because we have to always go back for those to caught up.

Assignment deadline. There is always someone late on assignments.

What is one of your most effective strategies to use after you have made a mistake in front of your students? Use humor as you explain how you made the mistake and how you are going to correct it. By laughing at yourself, the students will see you as a human being and will understand that you are willing to learn from your mistakes just as they should.

How does monitoring help you with class management?

How can you help unprepared students come to class

Put distinct expectations in the syllabus about the improper use of cell pone/iPad/pda.....etc. and be explicit about the demerits or increasing discipline levels and the negative influence on their class grade.

Probably the balance of home and work

As a new instructor I was so overwhelmed. It seemed like everything was coming at me so fast. Though I know the material I was about to start teaching I felt the hardest part was preparation for classes. Thankfully, the previous instructor left all the previous material (PowerPoint, handouts, test, etc) that I used as an outline. I did not try to "reinvent the wheel" and it was of tremendous help. I cant even imagine how much more overwhelmed I would have been if I had to start from scratch. My advise to all new instructors, at least for the first couple of terms, use the same outline as what was used before. In time, you will know what works and what doesn't, and slowly but surely you will eventually modify the course to one that fits you.

My fellow instructors use facebook to communicate with their classes, but I don't. I don't like seeing them and their pictures in that environment. Am I wrong and behind the times on this matter, or should I just sign up and start using this venue to communicate and monitor my students?

Our classroom is small and we have a lot of students. Since they have to sit closely together, I think that it would be easy to cheat. What is the best way to arrange the seats for exams?