Teaching the First Class
The prospect of teaching can be all at once scary, bewildering, and exciting. It’s natural to be simultaneously optimistic and unsure; there’s a lot to learn about your students and what they bring to the classroom, and they, in turn, are curious about you and your personality as an instructor.
There’s no question that the first class is an important one. It’s an opportunity to establish basic goals and expectations for the course, as well as to set the tone for the semester. Preparation, practice, and experience can help ease potential first-day worries.
We’ll discuss multiple teaching strategies over the course of the forthcoming chapters, but first, it’s important to think about how you show up as an instructor for your students. Here are a few techniques that can help you prepare in the days leading up to your first day of teaching:
- Mentally rehearse your lesson by visualizing or practicing it in your head.
- Practice speaking your lesson out loud to yourself or a colleague.
- Write out key points to organize your thoughts.
- Use meditation or breathing exercises to stay grounded.
Even equipped with all the teaching strategies in the world, unexpected moments can and will happen, no matter how much you prepare—and that’s perfectly normal. The best plan is to stay flexible and open to change. Remember, there’s plenty of time to adjust your methods throughout the semester. The first few days aren’t everything, so try not to put too much pressure on yourself (or your students!).
By the end of this chapter, you’ll be able to…
- Describe your teaching values, persona, and role in the course.
- Identify the needs and expectations of the lead instructor, teaching team, and students.
- Prepare for the logistics of the first day.
- Plan your first session with clear policies, norms for discussion, and goals.