PDF Learn what instructors say scares them the most.
What Scares You About Teaching College Courses?
I want to address what instructors fear. What about teaching scares you, maybe just a little or maybe a lot? Leave me a comment. I will publish the good ones, and I will respond regardless whether your comment makes this website or not. Rest assured, I will do my best to be of assistance.
If, on the other hand you are an experienced instructor who fears nothing, let me know how you got to that point. You must have lessons learned to share with others. So, please share you advice.
And finally, maybe you are a new college instructor, someone who is just embarking on their first teaching assignment, and you are not scared. What you are is (sorry, this is a term I apply to that small percentage of our students who cause their own problems) CLUELESS. Either stop reading my articles because you are a lost cause, or open up. If you do not want your comment published, I will respect that.
© 2011 Paul A. Hummel, Ed.D.
August 19, 2011
Hello,
I am a first time instructor and I am scared that I will fail my students. I am teaching at a community college and am the product of a 4 year university and was given many opportunities and led to so much personal growth by instructors, and I feel I won’t be as helpful for students. I am prepared to teach and will work hard and give it my all but I fear that I will not be as helpful. I don’t know if I want this published.
Carlos,
Every first time instructor should feel nervous. It’s a sign that you care and have high standards. My advice: 1) Accept the fact that you may be nervous in front of your students, at least in the beginning, that’s normal, 2) Build a good relationship with your students. Get to know them and relate to them, and they will work with you to make improvements, 3) Seek help for even the smallest things. If you don’t like the way a class went, share it with someone more experienced to get advice, 4) Use 1-minute papers to get honest, open feedback from your students, and 5) Build on the positives. Absolutely do not tell your students that you have no prior college teaching experience, but don’t lie if they ask. Make sure your students know the experience you bring to the classroom and show your passion for the subject.
If you want to contact me directly/privately, email me at: hummelpaul@aol.com
My sense is that you will do fine.