So the whole role modeling thing is one of those things I just do naturally and really is something everyone, if they do it right, does naturally. This was my mentality with my students last semester, I figured if I felt I was a good enough person that I didn't need to act in a certain way in class, I was just myself. Considering most of the students had added me to Facebook I really couldn't act fake around them because even though I would monitor what I would put on Facebook my friends weren't so nice.
Considering most of us were selected to be peer mentors because we are already good role models kind of makes becoming a role model redundant and we more or less have to maintain being a role model. The one thing that I still do with my students is be real with them and like we talked about earlier this semester, you don't have to tell your students the full truth but give them a taste of what you think will help them.
I've always been considered a role model since I was younger so I guess this stuff comes easy to me. In my hometown it is absolutely impossible to be fake with someone because everyone knows you and your family so the only thing you can do is be you. Being a role model and being a peer mentor go hand in hand with the Hixson program because we get to know the students closer than most programs do, so I consider being a role model is a must.
Kris
ps.....sorry this is late I accidentally just saved it and didn't post it
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Kris I agree, I too feel that I am already a role model for many of the same reasons. One in particular for me is that I have 5 siblings, and I am the oldest. I feel like they look up to me all the time so I am always trying to make a good example for them. I feel it will be the same for the students next year. I also agree with the maybe not telling them the whole story all the time, and really just telling them what they need to hear to help them.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what you are talking about. Not only are you a more natural leader when you act yourself you are not seen as somebody that is just trying to impress somebody else. Everybody knows that nobody is perfect and if you fake being somebody someone is bound to find out and then you have to try twice as hard to earn their respect as well as their friendship.
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