Office of International Student Services : Status and Role Expectations

Students are encouraged in U.S. classrooms to share their opinions and personal experiences. American students like to be appreciated for their individual ideas.

U.S.educators are not known as the supreme authority in the classroom who cannot be challenged or questioned in any way.  It is highly encouraged to do so in the U.S.A.

Most TAs invite their students to call them by they same name that their friends call them.

Get to know your student's name.  When asking questions, start by saying that student's name. "This may be the simplest, cheapest, and easiest way to encourage a positive classroom attitude among your students. In far too many cases, undergraduates feel a sense of distance and isolation from the instructor, who sees them for only a few hours a week, rarely talks with them as individuals, and is perceived as being a lot of this by learning your student's name, and seeing and speaking to them as individuals.  Believe me, this works, and it's more than just a trick. The small gesture of taking the time and effort to know who your students are can have a very positive effect on the climate and behavior in your classroom."
-Bernard W. Bopp, Ph.D.

Get to know your students!  Ask them to fill out information cards at the beginning of the semester. Ask them about their career aspirations, their degree, other interesting facts about your students, and what they hope to obtain from your course. With this data, you will better be able to understand your students. The more information you gather, the more successful you will be.

Teachers typically will walk around the classroom as they lecture or address students in an activity. You do not have to stand behind the podium to address your students. You may want to ask students questions to get them discussing a point that you're trying to teach. You may want to encourage them to ask you questions