Spring 2011 was a monumental season for me because
it marked my first semester as an educator in higher education. I taught six
six-week courses at Career Quest Learning Center in Lansing, MI and one section
of MGMT 234 Diversity in the Workplace at Lansing Community College (LCC).
Indeed, this was too much! I was overzealous, eager to use my new skills,
overwhelmed and underprepared.
It took me a year to gain an adjunct role at LCC and when the opportunity came I could not pass it up. Needless, to say my workload was too demanding because I did not have adequate time to prepare for all of the classes. However, it was in my failure as a first time instructor that I really learned what it takes to be a world-class educator.
Here are a few key points I learned that semester:
It took me a year to gain an adjunct role at LCC and when the opportunity came I could not pass it up. Needless, to say my workload was too demanding because I did not have adequate time to prepare for all of the classes. However, it was in my failure as a first time instructor that I really learned what it takes to be a world-class educator.
Here are a few key points I learned that semester:
- Do
not over commit my time because students may suffer.
- Know
the content really well.
- Be
mindful of students
- Give clear instructions
- Respond to questions in a timely manner
- Thoroughly explain assignment and
expectations
- Return qraded assignments in a timely
manner to enable students to monitor their progress