New to it all
When I began to instruct I was thrown right into it. I had to learn by trial and error. Mainly because my personality is like that of a regular classroom intructor. In my time I have learned to channel my strengths and make my classe a joy to be in. As well as work on the weaknesses i have.
Hi Teasha:
Learning how to teach is definitely an ongoing process. After many years doing it, I find I still learn new things everyday to become personally more effective.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jodi:
I think all instructors go through that. As an instructor myself, one suggestion I would make to any new instructor is to be mindful of the passion you have for your subjects - and hang on to it! Sometimes, after many years, it becomes easy to lose that passion.
Regards, Barry
Boy, I remember how my ego was crushed when I first started teaching. I really thought that having 4 years of experience would really make me an expert. Wow, was I wrong! I have been teaching now for 8 years and I am still learning how to teach. Teasha
Like you I was thrown into it all, this is my second term and my head is still spinning. It has been a great learning experience. My number one concern is that I am not giving my students "what they pay for" because of my inexperience teaching. My students do seem to enjoy my class as evidenced by surveys. I still continue to feel like a fish out of water.
Hi Heather:
Well, getting feedback from trusted and honest peers is a very mature and courageous activity for a new teacher to volunteer to do. I commend you.
Many times, lack of experience gives the false impression the teacher is not able to teach the material effectively. Really, the opposite is probably true. With competence comes confidence. So that is the image that we want to portray.
It may be trure another teacher may approach the topic differently, but your education, training experience, skills, and ability to relate to students ought to have prepared you to provide classes delievered with passion and enthusiasm, with sincerity, providing your lessons calmly and natrually.
Who couldn't learn in an envioronment like that?
Regards, Barry
I am also new to adult career teaching so I look at the materials as though I am a student. I try to see how I would answer questions or what would I need to know if I were learning the material for the first time.
Then based off my answers/solutions I decide how to proceed to teach. I also run my lecture or materials by others to see how the information comes across. Are they interested? Was the presentation of information clear and concise? Did I have the right tone or pace? And so far I have been pretty successful. I am open to all types of suggestions to better my skill set.
Hi Justice:
I believe we all learn by trial and error to some degree. Even education majors with teaching degrees and classroom experience have to fly on their own at some point.
Recognizing weaker areas is great. Fixing them is the harder task. A willingness to try is the secure way of assuring hope for seeing improvement.
Regards, Barry
