"Do we have to know this?" may be the most infuriating question students often ask during the first few days of classes, at least until the ground rules are established. It is always tempting to respond with withering sarcasm, as in, "No, I'm just babbling incoherently. Pay no attention."
For the most part, however, experienced teachers have learned to proceed politely. The students will figure it out eventually. They can't help it. No need to be a jerk—one of those boorish, condescending Hollywood-style professors with the tweed coat and elbow patches.
Billie Hara, in the ProfHacker segment of the Chronicle of Higher Education recently conducted an informal survey, assembling tips from friends and acquaintances on how to avoid being a jerk in the classroom. A few of the suggestions may not fit the community college environment or particular situations, but included in the humor is an undercurrent of wisdom.
Here's a segment of the piece. (She occasionally refers to the individual who sent her the particlar suggestion.)
For fun, I conducted a very informal poll of my Facebook pals: "How do you avoid being a jerk in the classroom." Here are some responses plus a few more that are legendary "Professor Jerk" behaviors:
1. Having a bad day? Car didn't start this morning? You spilled your Starbucks on the way to work? Your spouse is divorcing you? Your dog died? Your life is not your students' problem. Don't be a jerk and take your frustrations out on them.
2. Do you have course policies for your students (attendance, tardiness)? Then abide by the same rules. Don't be a jerk and saunter into class at five minutes after the hour (when classes start on the hour) because, after all, "they will wait for you."
3. Do you have a policy that you don't accept late work from students? Don't ask students to do anything you can't do, then get mad at them for being unable to do what you asked. "The worst are professors who go nuts about due dates but who themselves are continually asking for extensions from editors and colleagues," via Doug Hesse.
4. Do you have a Ph.D. (or other terminal degree)? It probably got you the job you now hold, but it's not something to wield over innocent undergrads (or graduate students, for that matter). The Ph.D. means that you know things. OK, move along. Don't be an insufferable jerk and tell students that your degree allows you to treat them any way you wish.
5. Remember when you were a student? You haven't always had that Ph.D.; try to remember what it was like not to know something. (via Seth Kahn)
6. Do you have a rockin' personal life? ("Member of the glitterati" is what your friends call you!) Then keep it to yourself. Sharing a little of our personal lives can be a good thing in the classroom. Over sharing, on the other hand, breeds resentment. Do students really need to know that you are late with your car payment, that you need a medical procedure (again), or that at the club last night you hooked-up with Ms./Mr. Right Now? Don't be a jerk.
7.Do you use humor in your classes? Great! Don't let your students be the butt of your jokes. Ever. (via Annie Bullock)
8. Do you ever make mistakes in your classes? Admit it, apologize (especially if the mistake was aimed at students), and move on graciously. Don't be a jerk; learn to laugh at yourself. (via Risa Gorelick-Odom)
Ms. Hara concludes:
So, how do you avoid being a jerk in the classroom? It's really quite simple, and it's something we all learned in grade school: the golden rule, or the ethic of reciprocity. Remembering the four tenets of the ethic of reciprocity (kindness, compassion, understanding, and respect) go a long, long way in keeping us from exhibiting jerky behaviors. Treat students with kindness. Understand that they are often young and inexperienced in your discipline. Know that they will make mistakes and that's how they will learn. Remember what it was like when you were a student. Did your professors make you suffer through boorish behaviors? There's no reason to continue that tradition. Respect what the students bring to the classroom, as it's rich and interesting. Remember, they are looking to you to be the model of professional behavior. Or, to put it simply: students look to you to be the grownup.
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