On Monday, I started teaching for the spring semester at my local community college. It's been almost a year since I've taught there because the fall class didn't run. As such, my only teaching experience, since I earned my black belt has been at my tkd school.

Anyway, at the end of class, as they were leaving, one of the students said "Have a good night Laura" and for some reason I instantly felt annoyed, but I couldn't figure out why.

Then when another student said the same thing, I realized what it was. One of the policies at our school is to use proper courtesy, Yes Sir/Ma'am and referring to instructors and black belts by their last name. As an assistant instructor, it is my responsibility to enforce that behavior. When the second student called me by my first name, I caught myself before instinctively going "Thats Ms...! 10 push-ups!"

For some reason, I don't think I'm allowed to make my college students do pushups...

Laura

'Flexibility' doesn't just apply to the body. The mind needs to stay that way as well to keep learning.

Funny. The first day I started MA, I had no clue what was proper...and asked my teacher, 'What do I call you?' I expected to hear 'sensei'.

He must have found it funny, because he smiled and said, 'Call me Bill. Not big on formality.'

In my expirence, punishing an adult with physical work isn't a good way to encourage them. Some people take it poorly and it may effect attendance (might, might not). It's your class so it's all up to you, but different people need to be presented material in different ways, and while i use push up's and squats and all sorts of demonic things to teach the children classes proper behaviour, i find i get a better response out of adults when you explain things so they can see.

I think I'd just go over policies in the next class. You are their teacher. They wouldn't leave their biology class and say, "Bye Chris! See you Wednesday. Hey, can I get an extention for my homework? My grandmother's in the hospital and I'm having a hard time keeping my head on straight." No! He would have been refered to as Dr. Smith. Ask your instructor how he has handled similar situations in the past.

Casey

I figure if no precedent was set up when they all came in as to what is expected then you cannot punish anybody for not knowing.

In our school we are formal but we use first names and it is followed by Ma'am or Sir; even the Instructor. If you don't know somebody's name then you just use the Ma'am or Sir; makes it easier then remember names let alone last names which can be much more difficult especially with some people's pronunciations.

Now the thing is, is this teaching formal? If it is then set a precedent immediately so that things are followed. If it is not so formal then I wouldn't get hung up on stuff like this. Just be careful, those people joining may not be in it for the formality and you have to take that into consideration. Review everything thoroughly and then make the decision and then stand by it and then enforce it.

It's true, there was no precedent set up. I didn't introduce myself as Ms ..., nor did I expect them to call me by my last name. Until a year ago, I'd never even had anyone refer to me by my last name.

I was just so surprised and confused by my initial reaction to an otherwise normal occurrence until I realized that I had been so conditioned by having to correct forgetful children all the time. I honestly couldn't figure out why I felt uncomfortable with one of my students saying "Have a good night Laura"

Like having someone say "hi" and instead of replying with another "hi" you drop into a fighting stance and ki-up.

Laura

Sounds like a case of the "bighead" syndrome.

Knowing full well that some of your students could kick your ass, maybe you should show them proper "RESPECT!" blackbelt ma'am.

I'm talking about the need for us to feel superior because of some belt around our waist. Wouldn't you feel foolish if a mere whitebelt whooped your ass infront of the whole class?

Better be sure of your abilities before you are sure you need titles.
As an instructor I don't need a title. I let the students call me what they are comfortable with as long as they are respectful about it and I show them the same respect.
BTW, my instructors never felt the need to be called sensei or master, infact, they called me Mr.Stone. Hmmmmm....