Patricia Scales

About me

I've been a career educator for over 20 years. I currently serve as the Academic Coordinator for Brookstone College of Business and continue to be active in the classroom as a Business Instructor. My motto is "A student doesn't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." I was honored to receive the Career College Association National Teacher of the Year award in 2001. I just love teaching!

Activity

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi LaDonna, By using the ideas suggested, they will help with this center-stage student. I teach all computer classes as well, and when I have a center-stage student in my computer classes, I sit the center-stage student in the middle of two unwit computer students so that he can help the two unwit students stay on task. I have a conversation the wit computer student before hand, to let he or she knows that I want him or her to make sure that the two unwit computer students stay on task. He or she will be the helper for the… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Getting Students Interested and Involved in Course Content

Hey Deborah, Students enjoy hearing practical experiences. I have only had one career path, which is teaching for 18 years, therefore I have guest speakers to come in to share experiences from the real world. Students thoroughly enjoy guest speakers. The students get to pick the guest speaker's brain from a practical perspective. Students really want to hear the goods and the bads of various career paths, and they are anxious sharing their stories as well. An open forum creates alot of excitement in the class setting. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Challenging Students

Hey Deborah, I understand exactly what your are talking about, I currently have four students in my class that I advise. It is nice having the students in your classes that you advise, not only do you get to know them better, you get to monitor their attendance and actions to determine if there are any red flags pertaining to the students. Daily contact with the students you advise is certainly a good thing. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hello Deborah, Abosolutely, leave your personal problems at the door. Students can care less about your personal problems. We as professionals must remember, we must be professional at all times. As instructors, we set the tone of the class. I always smile and greet my students, regardless of my mood. I am known to be a very vivacious instructor. Students love positive energy from the leader. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Deborah, As a seasoned instructor for nearly 18 years, these strategies are very effective when dealing with unfocused students. The minute you have determined that a student is unfocused, you need to deal with the situation immediately. If you do not deal with the situation immediately, the situation will only become worse, and then too, unfocused students will do whatever an instructor allows them to do. Make it known to the unfocused student, that you really and truly care about their education, and you want to see him or her succeed. Generally, whenever a student determines that the instructor… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Getting Students Interested and Involved in Course Content

Hi Pam, There are many students who are visual learners; they like to actually see something. The sight of things normally bring about a great discussion. My institution is strictly business related, and I always take a sample of a completed portfolio (a job search tool) that had been created by another student to use for show. The actual portfolio shows the student exactly what is required of them. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Unfocused Students

Hi Pam, My institution has an age range of 18-60. I have experienced the same as you have, having some students right out of high school and others are of retiring age. I generally have the most challenges with those students right out of high school. The students right out of high school still seem to be a little immature and somewhat unfocused. I typically see right after the first test if the score is low, the student right out of high school seems to become more serious. At times, I have even had to have conversations about getting foucused.… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Dealing with Challenging Students

Hello Pam, I practice the open door policy too. Students love to feel that they are welcome. I typically have small classes as well. This module I have a class as small as four students. At the beginning of each module our students are assigned mentors, which are like advisors. The mentoring program works well because the mentors make it a point to check on their students weekly. Students quickly realize that the mentors are in place to help them. Students love to know they have a designated person they can go to with concerns, issues, problems, etc. Patricia

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hey Pam, You and I are exactly alike whenever it comes to admitting mistakes. I simply own up to the mistake and move forward. Students give you the utmost respect whenever you can admit you made a mistake. Afterall, as you have said we are only human. We are far from being perfect. I tell my students exactly as you do, if I don't know a response to a question, I let my students know immediately that I do not know, but I will have an answer for them the next day. Although we are educators, students understand that we… >>>

Patricia Scales

Discussion Comment

Common Instructor Mistakes

Hi Godo, You've got it. We are instructors. We are not perfect. From time to time, we may make mistakes. The best thing to do is to own up to your mistakes and move forward, instead of trying to think of excuses. Students will have more respect for you, when you take responsibility for your actions. Preparation will help minimize mistakes, but making a mistake is bound to happen. Students realize we are human as well. Patricia

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