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 Katharine, Good method. Through the repetition you are reinforcing the importance of the course content and how the students will be able to use such content. This validates what you are doing as an instructor to your students. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Making a Positive First Impression

Hi Katharine, Thank you for sharing your perspective on being a young looking as well as young instructor that understands how to take control of a class. Being professional and having confidence are the ways that instructors can be the class leaders. Good job keep up the professionalism. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Expanding Your Instructional Abilities

Hi Lenny, I like the way you have laid out some options for professional development. The key is to look for those opportunities and then avail yourself of them. As a result your skills are going to expand and student satisfaction will increase. A win win for everyone. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Mary, Good strategies for reflecting professionalism both as an educator and a member of your career field. These factors help to reinforce to students the fact that you have been successful in your field and that you are going to show them how they can be successful as well. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Role Models

Hi Kathryn, These are the "soft skills" of career development that need to be shared with students. Many times they don't think about being on time and dressing appropriately as being a part of their career growth, and yet as we know it is. The more we can do in this area the more successful our students are going to be. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

The Human Factor in Retention

Hi Cynthia, Since I work with a lot of adult high risk learners I appreciate your comments. If leaving school is best for a student that needs to get family and life in order I try to work with that student in a way that leaves the option for returning wide open. I try to make sure they understand that I am there for them when they decide to return to school and that I will make it as easy as I can to get them started again. The students really appreciate knowing the door is always open to them.… >>>

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Hi Diana, I agree with you about the challenge of extending warm tones through emails and posts. It takes a bit of word crafting to convey the message that you are a caring and supportive instructor that wants student success. Over the years I have gotten much better at it but I still labor over the words to make sure my message is clear and that my students are engaged. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Being Successful in College

Hi Cynthia, I like your approach to gently getting the students settled into the course and feeling like they can be successful. By increasing their confidence you are setting the stage for success when they take the first assessment. They believe they can do it and their test scores will validate their feelings. Great job. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Creating Personal Support Systems

Hi Cynthia, Great way to blend student strengths. Each can contribute to the project and presentation using their talents. Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor Enthusiasm

Hi Dolores, I like to be around people who are enthusiastic because their enthusiasm rubs off on me. This is what we need to always remember when we are teaching. This is why your point is such a good one because you mention the need to be enthusiastic in aspects of your professional conduct both within and outside of the classroom. Key point because the students are observing you at all time in the school setting. Gary

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