Good Vibes and More on My Upcoming Teaching Gig.

[fenderlove]

Whee! I got the highest grade in my class on my history research paper that I've been working on all semester. I got a 98! The professor, I was told vigorously by other students in the department, does not give A's, but apparently did in my case! Yay! Also, the professor has asked me to submit a proposal to present the paper at the south-eastern conference of a national historical convention. I'm very excited!

I've got one other final on Monday, and then I have a final test and another final paper due on Thursday, and then I am done for this semester! What a wild time!

I also really, really, really want to be a Rhodes Scholar while I'm getting my PhD... but I don't think I qualify because I'm too old (I don't think you can be over 24 years old, and I'm quite recently 26).

And! I found out what class I'll be teaching as part of my assistanceship with the History Department. I got assigned a section of an American History survey. Out of the three GTAs, I'm the only female, but the actual professors and departmental heads are mostly women, so I don't feel out of place. The professor I'm assigned to be teaching for is interested in my arts background, and she wants each GTA to create one lecture on a topic of their choosing during the semester. I'd love to do the influence of comic books in modern culture (from a "Buy War Bonds!" perspective).

So, to all my teacher/professor friends, any advice for a first time GTA teaching a general education requirement course?

Comments

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

Yay on the grade and conference! And if you can't do Rhodes, consider Fulbright.

As for GE classes ... *cackles wildly, having just finished grading 110 essays*. Most of them can't write worth crap, a good chunk of them don't care a bit about the subject you're teaching them, and many of them are lazy as hell. A few of them, however, will surprise you with their skills and enthusiasm. Don't expect miracles. If you can get just a few to be excited about the material and actually learn something, you've done your job.

[gingerwall.livejournal.com]

The hardest thing for me was (and still is) not taking it personally when kids don't give a shit and/or fail. It always feels like a personal failure, and I wonder what I could've done to make them understand better. I have to just take a deep breath and remind myself that if they didn't come to office hours or ask questions in class then it's their problem. It's college, not high school. (Can you tell that I just submitted semester grades? :/ )

My first semester teaching I dressed up every day because I needed the extra boost in confidence (and to not feel like I looked 18). Now I don't have to, but it might be helpful if you're nervous.

And you'll probably be nervous for the first couple lectures you give - it's just something you get used to with time and eventually you stop noticing and it's not an issue.

Teaching is a lot like acting - you put on a persona and project a specific version of yourself. Make jokes. Laugh and enjoy yourself. It will reach some of the kids who otherwise would be bored, and make you feel better even if most of them don't care. Don't be afraid to be nice to them, as long as you can still turn on a dime and be fierce if they try to take advantage of you. You can let them forget that you're their professor for a second - but only a second.

Scrolling up, I don't know how helpful any of this is going to be, but... just remember, they don't know it's your first time (dear god don't let them know), and they respect the position enough that whatever you do will be fine enough. They've already have profs who are a million times more worse after years teaching than you'll be on your first day, and you'll only get better (until you get too busy with your research, and then you'll get worse, but you won't care at that point). :)

[gingerwall.livejournal.com]

I feel like I should add that I've mostly taught smaller lab/discussion courses with about 25 students who I get to know on personal level, so your experience might not be as intense as mine in terms of interpersonal relationships. Whichclothes probably has more useful advice for a big lecture course. And I totally agree with everything she said, especially the crap writing.

Also, you will be shocked by their inability to follow the most straightforward directions or remember things that you've said out loud multiple times. Never ceases to amaze me.

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the grade.

[kidcyclone.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! That is awesome about your paper/grade, and I'm so glad you're getting recognition for your intelligence and hard work. That is terrific you'll be working as a GTA as well!

I'm so happy for you! *hug*