I am the librarian at a Le Cordon Bleu Program culinary school. One of my favorite experiences happened last July when the scheduled English instructor notified us 3 hours before the first day that she wasn't coming back. My DOC gave me that much time to get ready to take over the class for the term.
Did the class know I was a last-minute sub? Did I come across as making it up as I went along? Did I pull out of thin air techniques to try? You bet.
For three weeks our little group connected in a way I could not imagine-all because we winged it together. Some things really worked; others dumped. But, we were in it together.
Sometimes circumstances, force of personality, obvious expertise, and a special group of students come together to make something special happen, even if the 'common mistakes' crop up.
Hi Alfredo,
Big mistake! It sounds like you have learned from this mistake, and you do not plan on making this mistake again. Preparation is key for any course you teach. Always review the materail and be ready.
Patricia
My mistakes is thinking I can handle any course I teach without going into a review and get caught shutter stepping.
Hi William,
You are on point, admit your mistake and move on. If you mess up, fess up.
Patricia
Hi Jill,
Absolutely, you must have extra material/activities available. Some classes grasps concepts a lot quicker than other classes; it really depends on the students in the class.
Patricia
I think the best advice that was given is to over prepare. Even though I've been teaching for 11 years, I find that I'm always trying to find something new to bring to the class. It's very true - something that you think will take 15 minutes frequently only lasts a few minutes. It's always best to have some extra material and extra activities up your sleeve.
If you do make a mistake as an instructor don’t try to cover it up – admit it and move on.
Hi Phil,
A good teacher can explain a concept more than one way, and it sounds like you fall into this category. Continue to think along the correct lines that prepartion is first and foremost.
Patricia
Hi Jennifer,
It sounds like you like being prepared. Using these tactics will surely make you an awesome teacher. Continue to prepare fully. :-)
Patricia
I like to make myself detailed notes on the subjects I am teaching. They are not necessarily notes that I may give my students, but things I may want to talk about. I also try to anticipate questions that the students may ask and make sure I have the answers.
Prior preparation for the class is first and foremost. Knowing what material you will be presenting to the students during a planned lesson is a must, however you must also remain alert to the students ability to grasp the subject matter at hand, and be flexible enough to change your presentation if they are having problems grasping the material. As for being a student's "buddy", we must maintain a seperation from them if we are to maintain the ability to control the classroom.
Hi Charles,
I have been teaching for overy 20 years and I have never showed favortisim toward a particular student. I treat all of my students the same. Showing favoritisim can create all sorts of problems.
Patricia
I think a common mistake instructors make is to have a favorite student in your class.
This will give a bias opinion of the student and he/she will be graded differently than other students.
Hello Steve,
Being prepared minimizes a lot of anxiety on the instructor's part. I feel a sense of relief when I know I am prepared to cover a lesson. Students really do see through unpreparedness, which is not good.
Patricia
I agree prep all the way the students pick right up on your lack of prep. 0For me the fact of being prepared helps smooth the lesson right out
Slowing down and taking your time when completing tasks, thinking before you speak, restating questions asked to be sure you understood them,proofing reading paperwork that needs to be submitted prior to turning it in, and time management are all keys to avoiding common mistakes.
Hi Michael,
It should be your goal to create an environment that is conducive to learning. It sounds like you have created an environment that is conducive to learning. Keep up the good work.
Patricia
Hi Hank,
Being unprepared totally disrupts your day. Strive to always be prepared. Being prepared makes teaching a lot less stressful.
Patricia
Class prep is very important as well as staying on task. It is important to maintain a positive learning environment.
We all agree that class prep has to be the most important to not do,haveing time to do proper class prep on the other is a major problem also and when your not ready you are going to have a bad day.
