Likable Me

Four weeks into the spring semester and I’m finally getting to know my students’ names.  And this is without the benefit of student photos which I had no clue I had access to until last week!  I’ve got 72 students in three sections of Academic Writing II, and each class has its own particular dynamic.  I find that while I have the same lesson planned for each group, I make subtle adjustments in the second and third classes based on what I consider the relative success or failure of strategies implemented during my first class.  In that sense, they are my guinea pigs.  They are also the most difficult of the three to connect with – not sure why.  Sometimes all it takes is one wise guy to throw off the balance of the class.  Such is the life of a teacher.

But how should a college instructor deal with a wise guy?  I suppose the syllabus should function as a guide, so if it includes zero tolerance policies on using cellphones, being disruptive, or falling asleep (none of my students ever fall asleep probably because I’m so loud), then it will dictate proper consequences.  When a student has what can only be described as an attitude, however, it’s hard to know what to do.  Overt disrespect should not be tolerated, of course.  Perceived disrespect seems a bit trickier to handle.  Is it disrespectful for a student to wear a hood in class?  Is it disrespectful for a student to talk to you with a flossing stick in his mouth?  Yes, a flossing stick.  Even when I attempted to shame said student by noting that I found it a bit disgusting for him to do that, he continued to chomp away. 

I find myself wondering what an appropriate reaction might have been.  Should I have told him to take it out of his mouth because it was disruptive to me and possibly to others?  I suppose I should have talked to him after class and debriefed him gently on classroom etiquette.  But it seems ridiculous to have to even do that.  College students are ostensibly adults.  As such, they can be asked to leave class due to inappropriate behavior.  Asking a student to leave is always awkward, though, because it casts such a negative pall over the class.  While some students might applaud the wise guy’s removal, others might find it a bit harsh.  It’s hard to say.

Reflecting on what is likely a non-issue to other professors (they’d probably kick a wise guy out in a heartbeat) makes me realize that I need to work on classroom management techniques.  If a student doesn’t like me because I set down some rules, then so be it.  I know that gaining the students’ respect is more important in the long run.  My problem is this: I try very hard to create a climate where students feel comfortable, and I’ve always equated this with the idea that I do, in fact, have to be likable.  I also feel that if students can connect with me they will be more likely to want to do well in the class. 

Ultimately, their desire to do well in my class is outside my control.  It’s not my job to motivate the students.  That has to come from within.  I can encourage their participation and ensure that they understand the material and help them make sense of readings and assignments when they are confused.  I can offer guidance and provide suggestions on how to improve their writing.  The rest is up to them…