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Veneficus

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So this week I find myself teaching the AHA instruct the instructors program.

For some reason at the beginning of most classes it seems obligatory to indroduce yourself and make yourself seem credible and important as a treacher.

Usually I try to just dodge the question and say something innocent like:

"MY name is... and I am here to help you make it through this topic today."

Some take it too far in my opinion.

"My name is... my credentials are... I work at... I have worked at... I held the title of... and I enjoy cooking, romantic dinners, and barefoot walks on the beach."

So what is the middle ground between "hi my name is... and I am an alcoholic" and "All bow in my presence for I am the Lord your God."

Instructors, how do you introduce yourself?

Students, what do you think is too much or so intimidating it interferes with learning?

Doesn't being the one standing in front of the class at least assume you are somehow qualified to be there?
 
I just say "hi my name is ___ and I have worked as an ____ for ___ years."

If the students want to find out more info they are free to ask.

If they want to bow to my awesomeness they are also free to do that at anytime. Haha
 
I understand your quandary, and have had it in the past myself.

You do not want to seem like the blowhard who is TRYING to impress everyone, and I am a firm believer in actions speak louder than words ever could.

With that in mind, students do want to know that they are in good hands, and I feel like most students appreciate knowing a little bit about an instructors background, and why on Earth that person is qualified to come in and teach them (especially since students have likely had someone NOT qualified come in and instruct them int he past.)

I am somewhat like you in that I don't want to be THAT GUY seemingly trying to impress everyone. Generally, I tell them my name, what my discipline is (we have a multidisciplinary instructor cadre for each class, typically physician, RN, RT, and paramedic) how long I have been a paramedic, and how my discipline adds to their course experience.

For example, I might say I am a paramedic, so for those of you with pre-hospital questions or for initial ER management I am happy to try and answer your questions. For those of you with definitive care questions or longterm ICU treatment, you definitely need to ask Dr. so and so...he is the best.

I like the introduction portion of the class. We have a great group of instructors, and we work well together, so in a lot of ways we almost introduce each other. I think students appreciate hearing me speak briefly about how nurse so and so is a great resource for ICU questions, and her speak about how I am a great resource for pre-hospital, etc.

Use this chance to "manage up" and speak well about your co-instructors.
 
I just say "Hi I'm Dana, I'm a medic and I've been working here in the county since 1993.". They mostly know me anyway.

I like to hear where people have worked, so I can maybe pick their brain about their areas of specialty. I am like you and don't do much like to toot my own horn. I am just your standard thinking medic, nothing terribly special, but I could give a resume speech that would make me look so awesome they'd put me in the dictionary next to awesome, or totally squirrelly anyway.

I prefer humility. I am Dana, and I'm here to teach the class today. I try to put a lecture near the beginning that will let them see if I'm smart, it's better than telling them how smart I am.
 
Hi, My name is Dr P, and I am the lead instructor/course coordinator for this program. I currently work at .... for the past 4 years, where we provide these services. Prior to this, i worked since 2005 at .... where we did this. I started my career at .... many years ago, and have been a FF and EMT (as appropriate) since 1999.

I also instruct my fellow instructors in a similar manner.

It does give credibility, and shows that you have actually done the job in the real world, and are not just a book learned person who is reiterating what is happening in the text book.

as a student, I want to know what makes my instructor an expert in this area. not just a book learned person, I want someone who has actually used what they are teaching in the real world. give them much more credibility in my eyes
 
Veneficus said:
Doesn't being the one standing in front of the class at least assume you are somehow qualified to be there?
Click to expand...

In short no.

If I am familiar with the system and I know who you are then personally I know who is teaching me and why they are the ones teaching me the material.

If I have no knowledge about the system or who you are, then yeah I like to know. Personally I like knowing a fair amount, but typically that can be summed up in one PP slide or in a quick ramble "Hi I am Dr Bob, I am a attending ED doc with a background in intensive/critical care medicine. I did my training at UIHC as well as a fellowship at Shock Trauma."

These are the people that I sit up for an listen to because most likely i'll learn something.

The "Hi, I am Mark... I am your instructor... I am a nurse (not picking on that profession)" doesn't make me wake up and pay attention, especially for potentially dry material like AHA.


Most people will pick up on how good you are by the way you speak and present the material... but I've also seen some pretty dumb people present a good lecture.
 
wow, my typing on this one went horribly wrong, too many keys too close together and not enough paying attention.
 
I say I am their instructor, I have already written my name on the board with RN after it, I may drop that I have been active in something that may resonate with the group, and through the class I will tell stories on myself (usually but not always protecting someone else) and drop that I was doing that or had this done to me, etc. SO the intro runs throughout.

What you wear, how well the room is laid out, and concern for not wasting their time will let them know who you are pretty quickly.
 
I just hand out copies of the Wanted poster from the post office...they got one of the better head shots of me.
 
Ditto my restraining order(s)...
 
"I am Akulahawk, I've been a Paramedic for x-years, an instructor in ABCD and DEFG for x-years and I'm your instructor for this course." That pretty much starts off how I would start a brief intro if I were to instruct a course in something. That would, of course, be appropriately modified for the course...

As a sub teacher, I usually start off with something along the lines of: "Good morning, I am Akulahawk, your sub for today. Just a little about me, I graduated from (wherever) with a Bacherlor's in Sports Med. I have worked as a Paramedic for a while, I've worked as a sub in Gilroy for 2 years and 4 years here." That usually gets their attention, that I've studied a few other things, had some life experience, and probably have a really good idea what happens in the classroom and that they really can't get much past me.

I just try to keep my intro down to less than 20 seconds, because after about that much time of reciting my credentials, people's attention drift off and all they hear is "blah, blah, whah, whah."
 
How about a fifteen second spoof intro video??

I ususally remember to omit my unfortunate aversion to Kryptronite...
 
I usually do:

Hi, I'm Jon, and this is ____, we're your instructors today for ____. I work "in town" as a paramedic, and have been in EMS for __ years.... Then my co-instructor(s) introduce themselves.
 
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