Today was the first day I had to use my "Dad Voice." The classroom was getting a bit too chatty while I was trying to carry on my lesson. After a soft-spoken, "Guys?", I barked out a "HEY!" It worked remarkably well. For those of you who don't know me, I'm 51 years old, bald with a gray goatee and, I'm told, broad shoulders. Also, my natural facial expression tends toward the unhappy. Even when I smile, the corners of my mouth turn down.
In essence, I look like way more of a badass than I'll ever be. The look has served me well over the years and kept me out of many a fight. Being able to add both the "Dad Voice" and "Dad Glare" to my repertoire has helped instill general classroom compliance
I imagine this can be a bit harder for some of the younger TAs -- those who are barely 4 or 5 years older than their students, but this is one of those times in life when being old really does have its advantages.
Last semester, while still an undergrad, I had a chance to talk with one of the other grad student/teachers. I admitted to him my nervousness over teaching. He told me not to worry -- They would take one look at me and know who was in charge.
It's a little like spiders; they're more afraid of you than you are of them.
But, I guess like spiders, if you don't crush them, they can come back to bite you on the ass later.
Friday, September 11, 2009
2 comments:
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Excellent use of the 'dad' voice. Out east we call it the 'outdoor' voice. I,m sure the students will push the envelope whenever the chance presents itself. But Rick, with that darting eye and grizzled face will put the fear of Jeasus in them rather quick!
ReplyDelete"Now then, where were we...." Rick thumbs through his loose leaf binder with a grin. The room is silent.
True dat!
ReplyDeleteFunny about the fear of Jesus bit there. In our teaching class, when we were discussing how our teaching was going, several of us mentioned having a "come to Jesus talk" with the students.