Your first day of teaching
Posted by Mark Winegar on August 23, 2008
A brave few will soon be facing their first day of teaching. Its an exciting and terrifying time. The excitement comes from feeling like you are about to do something that matters. The terror comes from the fear of failure. So we listen to the voices of the past. Hopefully they’re saying “just be yourself.”
I remember my first college teaching job as if it were yesterday. My mentor kept telling me to make an example of a student as early in the semester as possible to set the tone of the class and I admit trying it a few times. It worked with the tougher sections who needed discipline but there is one thing every section needs more than a disciplinarian and that is someone who cares. If students believe you really care for them they will worked harder in your class.
So relax rookie. Just be yourself and get on with teaching. You know your stuff. Now go in there and show it to the students.
