Gerard Alava

I have often said on the first day of class that everybody has already gotten an A. It is because they have made a conscious decision to better themselves. And that the key was not to convince the instructor to give them a grade less than that. So if they simply abide what was in the syllabus then the grade was theirs to keep. I always say that I only write down the grade they have earned for themselves. Is this the right approach to embark on?

I have a class where one student was expelled after being disrespectful to me (as the instructor) for heckling other students. Apparently, she has had several write-ups in the past which has led to her being expelled from the school. How does one start renewing relationship with the class as a whole? I am sure I have earned the respect from some or most of the sudents in that class. But what about the others who are friends or sympathizers of the one expelled? How can I start anew without appearing a 'tyrant' to them?

In the school where I teach, it is very possible to have the same set of students in the next course after a particular (current) course. I believe I have good control over my students and communication between us is very open. I want to introduce changes (which I learned from this forum) that can better benefit the class but may not appeal to the students. They know I am firm and serious in my ways but do not want to be misconstrued as too demanding and a slave-driver. What should I do?

I have a student who has had brain surgeries in the past and has affected her memory. There are days she performs well and other days when she does not. She is very interested to learn though. Is there a learning activity you can propose?

What tools/strategies can I employ to make students not only learn and understand medical terminology, but also "say" or verbalize these terms correctly? Many are intimidated when they see rather complex or hard-to-pronounce words?