Second First Day as Professor

No, you've read it right. It was my second first day last Saturday. Most classes officially started that day, so I'd say it was my first day too - second first day, that's correct.

And on my second first day, I have learned a lot as a "professor."

Lesson 1: Classes are unpredictable at first week, and the consequences never cease to surprise me.

After attending my dictation and theory classes (that switched schedules by the way), I was approached by a masters student, Sister Belen, who asked for the schedule of my Statistics class for masters. I was stunned by the idea, and upon approaching Ate Jean (Music Dept. Secretary) without saying anything, she told me right away, "Ay Charvs, may klase ka ng Stat sa masters, 11-12."

I didn't know I will handle masters students. And the students keep on coming. Last week was also a blow, finding out that my undergraduate class is a mixture of students with different courses, which is beyond my expectations.

Coming from the world of high predictability, I honestly appreciate these surprises, especially from Ate Jean. I also noticed that the faculty and students do not complain when mix-up surprises like these happen. Imagine riding on a horror roller coaster, where in between thriller loops, upon catching your breath, Ate Jean would pop up and surprise you, "May klase ka ng 11-12!" It's fun! And very therapeutic. You should try it!

Lesson 2: Isabelans are really eager students. They just need the right "bombardment."

With painstaking nights of preparation, I gave my undergraduate students their first Stat lesson, Charvie-modified CPH[1] style. Some say it's the Sta. Maria technique (Miss April, my masters prof in music), but I'd say it's Charvie-modified-CPH-ok-somewhat-Sta. Maria-fine!-style. But it's my unique style, as it was packaged for music students: smart enough but not too technical. And I realized that in my first formal class, regardless of their notoriety of being uninterested students, especially in GE[2] subjects, I was able to effectively teach them something that is out of their league, during the most unholy hour of the day (around 1-3 pm).

Enough said.

Lesson 3: Hidden communication network there uses optic fiber as medium: rumors (more appropriately referred to as feedback) in Santa Isabel spead like wildfire.

A few hours after my class, the dean talked to me upon meeting her along the corridor. "Magaling ka man daw," she said. When asked who told her, she replied "yung mga estudyante." Eventually, later that afternoon, a professor said the same thing. I found out that the rumor came only from one source - one of my students.

I keep on saying, "Sa unang araw lang po, Sister... Uy, hindi naman po." I was flattered, of course, but not to the point of being carried away, thinking that my competence can only be measured by my students' retention of my subject. And who knows, perhaps along the way, I might inspire some students, music and non-music alike, to pursue on quantitative research.

Next week will be my third first day. This time, it's for the masters students, so it means a new, perhaps a more profound, philosophical approach. Let's see what will happen.

Lesson 4: If you can teach Statistics to Isabelan music students effectively, then you can teach anything to anyone.

Let's keep it at that.

Footnotes:
[1] CPH = College of Public Health, UP Manila
[2] GE = General Education

First Class as a Professor

I was overwhelmed by this first experience. It was simply unbelieveable.

Last Saturday, I started to teach Statistics on college students in Santa Isabel. I thought at first that I was going to handle music students only, but it turned out that there are college students with majors in English or Marketing. But in general, I know how my students behave, as most of them are music students, my classmates. And when it comes to general education subjects like Statistics, let's just say they are not the most enthusiastic students you'll ever have. And setting my class at 1-4 o'clock in the afternoon, let's just say it is not the most exciting class you'll ever attend.

Everyone whom I encountered in the music department almost teased me, "Sir!" aggravating my anxiety. People knew I was terribly nervous.

I was advised that I should start my class next week, but with 11 students, I started anyway. I didn't have any teaching materials nor course outline, but I had a topic: Introduction to Statistics. I knew what to teach, I knew how to deliver it, but I was shaking. There was a time I literally shook off my nervousness in front of the class. I had explained what Statistics is, what it is for, to the point of explaining descriptive and inferential stat. I also discussed my class rules and expectations, the likes.

As I kept on going, I felt more comfortable, more like confident, in "talking my thing" in front of them, sitting in an armchair like a student, but with a tone of a professor. It's like natural.

The feedback came in minutes after. My co-members in the chamber (they were 4 out of 11 in the class: Ate Virgie, Jenny, Ivan and Carlo) gave most of the feedback: it was okay, my explanation was clear, I wasn't boring, sometimes I get blocked, I was better than other teachers. But my only concern was whether the students understood and retained my lecture.

My self-evaluation: not good enough.

I was told that teaching Statistics (more specifically, Biostatistics) in my old school wasn't good anymore, and here I am, teaching in Santa Isabel. Well, my old school didn't want the likes of me; they wanted either Statistics major graduates or MDs with background in Epidemiology, so why bother? Good thing Miss April recommended and Sister Emelita approved my intention to teach, a privilege given only to a few students in Santa Isabel. I just hope my old professors like Dr. Borja would be proud of me.

I knew that eventually in my lifetime I will be a professor. My childhood ambitions included being a teacher (among others like being a doctor, a priest, a magician) came somewhat true. And if the feedback says I was okay, then I bet I'd be a hell better that the first time.

Most classes there do not use visual aids except for the black/whiteboard. So Ate Jean (SIC Music Dept. Secretary), please ready the monitor next week, for they will experence statistics --- the Powerpoint style!

They'd better learn from me.