This and a whole host of other questions are now filling up most of the space in my head......
I'm officially teaching in the fall! I went in and met with the Assistant Dean of the division this morning and by the time I walked out I was officially a part-time instructor.
I knew walking in that something very strange would have to happen for me not to be offered the class, but I was still overwhelmed when it became official. I'm finally going to have my very own class - complete with 24 students and a textbook and all the other things that come along with a class - and I start in 3 weeks. This is not quite as bad as it sounds. Because it's a technical college the curriculum is statewide and therefore the overall progression of the subject has been set for a number of year - I walked out with a "syllabus" detailing the order in which I'll be teaching the various aspects of biology. So, while it's up to me to decide exactly how I'll split up those topics and where I'll put a lab section instead of lecture I won't be starting from zero as far as curriculum. Additionally, I'm instructing just one of three sections of this particular class. One lecturer is also part time and the 3rd is actually a full time instructor and is in charge of the course as a whole. I'll be meeting/communicating with these two instructors frequently in the weeks leading up to the course and then as the semester progresses. Basically, I'm not just being thrown in and I'll never feel alone as I begin the teaching portion of my career.
Ironically, it's not planning the lectures or the labs or remembering all my basic biology that worries me the most. Instead it's issues like the question I posed in the title of this blog. How will I remember all of their names? What do I do if someone ignores my "all cell phones will be turned off during my class" rule? The Assistant Dean came right out and said that one of the biggest problems that new, part-time staff face is that students view us as not having much status - ie, we have the substitute teacher problem. He asked me if I had any experience managing students in a classroom and then brought up an issue that had vaguely entered my mind at some point but was quickly shoved to the back......."You look like you're about 16 years old." Yes, I look young - but I don't dress like a 16 year old, I'm married, have a Ph.D., don't act like a 16 year old and can shoot someone a dirty look like no one's business........I'm pretty sure that if I walk in there on my first day and act confident and in charge then this will not be an issue - but I'll keep you all posted on that.
I have about 2 more days of peace before all lesson planning hell breaks loose. I was sent home today with paperwork to fill out and a new appointment for Thursday morning where I'll get more of the details of working there and about the curriculum. After that, it'll be time to settle into the lessons and lectures.
Here goes nothing........
yay! 18-19 year olds aren't a lot different from 8-9 year olds in terms of classroom management. You're just firm at the beginning. Lay down the rules "ie no cell phones on in my class." and tell them that you'll respect them if they respect you. The names will come ... use the Ross Geller naming technique ("Smelly Von Brown Shirt.") And I realize if you used our "Don't smile til Thanksgiving" motto, that would be most of the semester... but just start our strong and confident, like you said, and you will be fine. I agree you have the dirty look down.... now just find a "teacher voice" and use it at all times! Congrats!
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