Gary Meers, Ed.D.

About me

I am an Education Advisor/Consultant for MaxKnowledge. I write courses that assist in the professional development of career college instructors. These courses range in content from the introductory level to advanced instructional development. I started my teaching career as an instructional technology teacher on the high school level, completed graduate school and then moved into higher education. I spent many years in the area of teacher training at the University of Nebraska. While at the University of Nebraska I stared working with career college instructors to improve their instructional delivery skills. As a result of these experiences I have been a consultant to career colleges throughout the United States and a number of foreign countries.

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Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Scott, You have a jump on other new instructors since you are going to use "common sense" in your teaching. That is what it is all about. We use common sense in our careers and teaching is no different. You are going to do well as an instructor because you are willing to listen and respond to your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

Hi Joe, You have a great approach to starting a class. You are engaging all of the students and exchanging some non-class related banter while everyone gets settled. This really helps to set the stage for a successful class. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi James, You are dead on with your perspective of what an instructor should be. This if knowledge that students need to have and by seeing a model of their career field they have something to measure themselves against. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Retention Strategies

Hi Esther, You make a very good point about the "human" side of teaching. It is as much or more than the content side since the human side is based upon respect and rapport between the instructor and students. Knowing that the instructor cares and is willing to listen to students goes a long way in keeping students with life challenges in school and making career progress. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making Your Expectations Clear

Hi Eric, Thanks for the information about where your graduates end up practicing their careers. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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Instructor REFOCUS

Hi Cassie, This is a very good point. Instructor introspection helps to keep the focus of the class where it needs to be. Yes, we teach valuable content so we need to remind ourselves of this often so our students will realize it as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Students as Class Members

Hi Mary, Way to go in slowly involving the students in the class through the learning groups and discussions. This method enables them to build the confidence needed to be active participants. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Defining Instructional Professionalism

Hi Natalie, Right you are. Instructors have to remember this because just dressing the part does not mean you are living the part. This is essential if we are going to keep our students engaged in learning. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Motivation Factors

Hi Hilary, This is a very good point. We instructors need to make sure that we are giving our students assignments that enable them to grow and gain new knowledge about their field. Busy work has no place in the career college classroom. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Reinforcement as Motivation

Hi John, I really like your examples of how to keep the advanced students engaged while providing support to the newer students. The side benefit of being able to develop stronger communication and social skills that apply to the workplace is extremely valuable. Gary

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