Thread: New teacher needs advice...

You should probably check with the chair of your department. In general, you have more leeway in college courses. I teach an evening class in a community college. Most of my students work full time during the day. I bring something to eat myself before class. But I let my students know that if they bring something, they must clean up their own messes. My dean doesn't care unless he gets complaints from the cleaning crew. The classroom usually has a large wastepaper basket with a liner, and I haven't had any complaints from the cleaning people or the dean in four semesters.

I think your rules are completely fair and respectful. It's great that you allow them to eat in class if they do it responsibly, especially since your class is right at lunch time.

Your request is completely reasonable that they don't eat anything when there is a guest speaker. They should understand what it means to be an audience. You may not mind people eating while you conduct class (I don't either), but they shouldn't assume a guest feels the same way.

You have all the right in the world to expect your students to obey your simple request. I think if you are giving them ample time to change their eating schedule, they should be well-prepared.

If it's been a while since the "offense" then I wouldn't mention anything to the individual at this point. He or she won't have much recollection of the event, and giving reenforcement long after the problem is not effective. If you have another guest speaker soon, I would brief the class again. At that point, maybe make some mention of what occured, but don't single the student out.

If something happens again, I would try to catch it before your speaker begins, or maybe even make mention of it to your speaker so he or she doesn't get offended if you have to take a sidebar to stop your diner.

The reality of it is that a lot of people don't pay attention. The student may not have been listening when you mentioned that they shouldn't eat when they have a speaker (no matter how many times you've said it). Or, he or she may well have forgotten.

I have noticed that there are people who need a personal invitation to follow the rules. This goes for young children as well as adults. Make the speech again and after class pull the student aside and tell them you do not want to see food during a guest lecture again. Don't do it where anyone can hear it so he does not feel picked on. Yes this is even an issue with college students. If it happens again nail it on the spot.

Mark, I like how you phrased that, "A personal invitation to follow the rules". Pretty good description of how it feels.

Joe

I have four students this year, in my room, who fit that description to a T. My partner teacher and I call them the "entitled ones"

I would let it go this time. Next time, remind them of the rules before the guest speaker arrives. I would add another rule -- no one is admitted late from a break when there is a guest speaker. Then after any breaks, stand by the door and do not let latecomers return (with or without food).

I teach adult students two nights a week (3 and 1/2 hour long classes) and food is fine in my class. But not when guests are speaking to the class.

-L

Years ago when I was in college I had classes back to back many times because my time was limited and I had to pay my way through college by working. So many times I ate in class while the teacher was lecturing because that was the only time I had to eat during the day.

I have discovered a number of things that I want in my syllabus. Behavior, reasons for expulsion or sending them home/out for that class, dress codes, esp. summer must be non-distracting.

After the kids beat you up for a while and then you remember that you are in charge, you'll set standards according to your individual comfort level. For example, if I have a 5-7pm class, I know there are many who come straight from work and are hungry. Better to let those eat for 20 minutes than to be thinking about eating for the two hours class.

It is always a good idea to check in with admin before instituting a change. Most of them understand, but there is always to south end of a north bound horse that will be upset for not being consulted first.

It was disrespectful to you, other students, AND ESPECIALLY the guest speaker.

During January I hosted Mock Trial practice in the evenings. Many of the students came from work or other practices and need to grab something on the way. They were given minimal wiggle room on the eating rule. I don't mind a snack, but the rest of us are hungry too and do not want to salivate over your smelly food. So unless they brought enough for everyone and didn't mind giving me an extra twenty minutes to replace the time lost eating then they shouldn't bring anything major. It only took one time of having to put their chinese on the front table while we had practice to realize I was serious. They had to smell it along with the rest of us, then they got to take it home and have it cold. Sounds harsh, but I was not supposed to be the teacher coach that night and the two students bringing food thought they would get away with really bending the rule with the other coach. It was disrespectful to me and my assistant coach. Absolutely did not appreciate it.