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.
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.
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