Patricia Scales

Hi George, It does take a BIG person to admit their mistakes, but you are right, we are all human. Mistakes are bound to happen. Patricia

Hi Charles, It saddens me whenever students are more concerned with receiving a good grade rather than FULLY understanding the actual learning that should take place. I would rather receive a "C" and fully understand the concept than to receive an "A" and do not understand the concept. Patricia

Hi Vincent, I've seen mistakes made throughout a grading period. I've been teaching for 20 years, and I make mistakes ocassionally. Mistakes will happen without a shadow of a doubt. Patricia

Cheryl, I agree, your rules, policies, procedures, etc. must be made known on Day 1. You have to make it known to your students that you are a stickler for policies that have been established. Patricia

Hi Cheryl, Older students do appear to have a stronger desire to learn. The millenial generation is a hand full. They really and truly think the world revolves around them and that everything is about them. Standing firm with all students is key! Patricia

Hi Cheryl, You're right, we all have things going on in our lives--so what? As educators, we must perform. Lay the law down to your students and stop taking all the lame excuses. Patricia

Hello Charlot, I rarely have challenges from students that are in cliques. However, I do understand your points. I've told students that cliques can be somewhat harmful, simply because if one student in the clique does something negative, the other students in the clique feel as though they must follow suit. I had a clique of three young ladies. One of the young ladies in the clique decided to dropout of school, and the other two young ladies in the clique dropped out as well. You do have to watch cliques. Patricia

Hi Jason, At times, it is necessary to get the department chair involved. Some times issues are totally out of an instructor's scope, and administration has to step in. Patricia

Hello Scott, You MUST be prepared. Simply, make a presence on the first day. The first day sets the stage for the entire grading period. Patricia

Hello Scott, The students right out of high school can be a big challenge as well as the talented ones who think they know it all. I always nip these type students in the bud within the first week of class by tactfully letting them know that it does not matter how much they know, they can still pick up new concepts from the course. Patricia