Comment on Shelley Freshman's post:
I too struggle with remembering the student's names. I like your idea of the folders and will try that next term. I have given the students poster paper and had them make name plates and decorate them. This has helped me in learning their names and the students have enjoyed decorating their name plates.
Not asking for help from other instructors is a common mistake. They all have been where a new instructors are and can at least advise on approach and technique.
Asking for help! I need to do this more.
I've learned that making mistake is an opportunity to grow. No one is exempted from making mistakes and by making mistake, it can be an opportunity for learning because we learn from our mistake. Just like a tennis player, when he made a mistake on how he hits the ball with his racket, he will make adjustments in order to not make the same mistake again.
As a new instructor we can worry about things that may never happen.
I have learned many situations to avoid being an instructor. I will take them into account as a reminder not to practice them.
Take the time to prepare, keep it professional and educational
So I’ve always been honest and transparent person and I expect my students to be the same. The course talks about making humor or light of mistakes. I definitely believe there’s a time and a place for that, but for the most part, I strive to be honest with my students when I have made a mistake because I want them to do the same for me to ensure were maximizing our time togeter.
Make notes about how the lecture, demonstration, or activity worked. Note taking will help you focus more on improving instruction rather than solving problems.
For some reason remembering a persons first name takes some time, but when calling people by their last name seems to be easier to remember. Having played football, it was easier to read peoples last name on their Jerseys and since we spent so much time together it would seem more normal to continue calling people by their last name over their first name when first meeting as strangers.
Management of classroom is to be prepared, organized and dedicated & sharing ones expertise & knowledge of the field.
I appreciate the "we make mistakes too" mindset. I tell my students daily that we are human and don't know every answer.
Becoming an advanced instructor is a process. It requires a commitment to self discovery and the ability to be kind to yourself as well as a sense of humor. Professionals always have to be willing to laugh at themselves but also maintain the boundaries that separate them from their customers, in this case, the students. Preparation and organization can eliminate many of the pitfalls and problems for a new instructor by always having enough material to keep a class going.
I tend to over prepare for class and I tend to be perfectionist so my "ducks have to be in a row"
No one is perfect. We are all human beings and we can make mistakes. We need to learn from the mistakes we make.
My first class was a wreck because I wanted my students to like me and that turned into the friends thing. Never again.
It is normal to feel nervous when you start teaching, but most of the fears will never actually occur.
The students' perceptions of an instructor start as soon as they meet you. Try to maintain a professional image of competence to earn their respect. Don't be too nice or too mean, just even keeled and fair. One must control the time and energy of the classroom to maintain authority. Being over prepared and having some activities on hand to revive the energy after a lecture or stressful test. Don't treat your class as therapy and tell them your problems, or try to be too friendly with them. These behaviors can diminish the authority that you have in the classroom.
I am not alone in feeling nervous and unprepared (though I absolutely am and will continue to be). Just maintain the preparation and planning, and make notes after class about anything that went particularly right or wrong. Remember I am the SME, and have knowledge and understanding my students need to begin their own careers as nurses.
