Get Your Students Hired
How do you support your fellow faculty and new instructors at your institution?
I am finding institutions vary in the development of support for new faculty. I think once I get more experience, I will make an effort to extend my hand to new istructors and attempt to offer advice to ensure their success. This career is already challenging enough without the added stress of learning a new culture.
Stacy,
Colleagues are a rich resource to be used. You can learn so much from talking with and observing experienced instructors. You don't have to copy everything they do but you can learn from them and then take what you have learned and customize it to your own instructional style.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I have also found the other instructors to be invaluable resources. It can be challenging to be thrown into a new environment, new course, new students and have little opportunity for preparation.
Edward,
Good to hear about your experience with your teaching experience. Sounds like you have good students that understand your situation and are supportive of your efforts. These experiences are giving you a great foundation to build on. I wish you much continued success as an educator.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
I agree its not the best way to start but I do like a challenge and brother did I get one with this job. So far things appear to be mostly on the positive side. The class is aware of my mewby status which we have some fun with but they are understanding and very helpfull. For the most part I could not have asked for a better first class.
Edward,
This is not the way to start course or a teaching career but it sounds like you rose to the occasion and are getting settled in. I know you are going to continue to grow as a professional educator in the future.
Gary
I am in the same boat. I came into the institution 2 weeks into the current semester and was in the class as a full on instructor within 1 week of that. I thank god for the other instructors at the facility. I have been offered so much in the line of help and resources that though I have been on the run continuously, I have been staying ahead of where I need to be to keep the class moving. I have made some mistakes but there have been others available to keep me pointed in the right direction. Oddly enough the students have been a help in being up front about what they need and understanding regarding when a paper is not graded and returned immediately. So far I am enjoying presenting the classes, especially when I overhear a comment that they like the instruction provided so far and they would like to have me again as an instructor.
Liane,
Great to hear. These types of support will enable you to get settled into your teaching much quicker as well as give you confidence since you know you have colleagues that you can call upon if needed.
Gary
Stephanie,
What a wonderful way to start a new position with a college. With welcoming colleagues you are able to get settled into your new school much quicker and can focus on meeting the needs of your students.
Gary
I am also a new instructor and have found that many faculty members are more than willing to share their ideas, input, etc. I'm learning a great deal from my collegues, particularly the seasoned veterans, and hope to grow and develop in my career!
Being new to the institution, I was amazed at the amount of support I have received by faculty members. Everyone has opened their shelves of materials to me, have sat and offered help with lesson plans, and generally made me feel as part of the team from the very beginning. It has been a great transition for me. I hope as I grow in my career and learn some tips myself, I will be able to offer that same support to the newcomers as they arrive.
Esther,
Good attitude. I know as you gain additional expertise and experience you will be a good resource for the beginning instructors coming into your college.
Gary