Dr. Rankin’s adapted Norman Vincent Peale’s “Ten Rules for Relationships” into his long teaching career!
– From Your TUSDM Faculty: Enjoy!
- REMEMBER THEIR NAMES. With over 200 predoctoral students in each class, this was not an easy task. I do remember taking home the class composite and just tried to connect a name to a face. I wasn’t 100% successful but it was fun seeing the look on a student’s face when I called him or her by their name. It also made a connection.
- BE COMFORTABLE TO BE WITH. TRY TO AVOID CAUSING STRAIN IN OTHERS. Going to dental school can be pretty stressful. I felt I was there to guide, be positive and encourage my students.
- TRY TO NOT LET THINGS BOTHER YOU. BE EASYGOING. I enjoyed teaching and appreciated the effort students put into my course. Not much bothered me because I loved just being with my students (both PG and predoc).
- DON’T BE EGOTISTICAL OR A KNOW-IT-ALL. That was not in my nature. I made sure I wasn’t “overwhelming” and encouraged feedback or commentary from my students.
- LEARN TO BE INTERESTING SO THAT PEOPLE WILL GET SOMETHING STIMULATING FROM BEING WITH YOU. To generate interest in my lectures right away, I used to start my 8AM lectures by showing the human aspect of an endodontist. Pictures/stories of my family, places that i’ve been, my military background; things a student could identify with.
- ELIMINATE THE “SCRATCHY” ELEMENTS IN YOUR PERSONALITY – TRAITS THAT CAN IRRITATE OTHERS. I always tried to be welcoming and positive to ALL my students.
- NEVER MISS A CHANCE TO TO OFFER SUPPORT OR TO SAY “CONGRATULATIONS!” I always felt if I maintained a positive and encouraging attitude, my students would retain a positive attitude toward their patients and dentistry.
- WORK AT LIKING PEOPLE. EVENTUALLY YOU’LL LIKE THEM NATURALLY. I’ve always tried to maintain a positive attitude toward all my students both in the preclinic and clinic.I think that approach helped my students develop good personal and professional relationships with their patients.
- HONESTLY TRY TO HEAL ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND DRAIN OFF GRIEVANCES. My door was always open to all my students through all 4 years of their professional education. They knew they could talk to me without any repercussions.
- DEVELOP SPIRITUAL DEPTH IN YOURSELF AND SHARE THIS STRENGTH WITH OTHERS. Compassion for our patients and confidence in ourselves is so important when performing endodontics. Interaction with our colleagues is so important when developing your professional awareness.