Switching sides
I moved from student to graduate of a career college only to return a couple of years later to become an instructor.
While the switch from student to instructor was challenging, I felt having recent perspective as a student of the college gave me a better insight as to how to relate to and mesh with the students as their instructor.
Has anyone else made the switch from student to instructor at the same college they received instruction from? How did the previous student prespective affect your teaching style?
Jill,
I know many who have transitioned from once a student, now an instructor. Knowledge about the practices, culture, and methods of the institution can be extremely helpful, both to the instructor and their students.
Barry Westling
I too have made the transition from student to instructor. I feel that having been in the same shoes as my students, i can really relate to them and it is very assuring to them to know, "this guy understands what it is like." I worked for several years out in my field, so i am also bringing the real world experience back to the classroom too. The combination of experiences is a valuable tool to my teaching style.
Mike,
I think it's great when there is some common thread that can potentially unite an instructor and their students. Often there is an extra dose of enthusiasm and energy that a former student can bring to the classroom, and that can make the classes a bit more lively and interesting.
Barry Westling
My experience was almost the inverse; After substitute teaching for a few years, and finding myself critical of student study practices, and poor classwork, I was reminded of my own shortcomings in my early college years, and re-enrolled in a few college courses in order to practice what I'd been preaching. This helped me see from the student's perspective again, as well as building my confidence as a future instructor.
Jeffrey,
Yeah, when we can appreciate the reality of life experiences many of our students have endured or are currently facing, that can give a bit of different perspective to the challenges they face and perhaps shed some light on how we can assist them.
Barry Westling