First day at the school

[cornerofmadness]

I’m not even sure where to start. Ever get the feeling you’ve made a huge mistake? Don’t get me wrong, the staff at Nicolet are very friendly and they’re already talking about me teaching two classes next semester but I’m feeling more than a little pressured. The ‘class in a can’ they told me about wasn’t exactly what I was told to expect. It’s a mere outline and instead of me being handed a lecture and I just fill in since this is all last minute (which is sort of what I thought they had said) I have to make up a lecture (yeah I know, this is normal for teachers, but it would have been nice to know so I could get started).

Worse, lab is rolled into lecture time (I think, I’m not clear on that) which means I’m doing even more work and I’m totally unprepared for this. The big 12 hour DVD I was supposed to get isn’t done. I do have all my books so I can prepare for this but they told me repeatedly that PowerPoint is frowned on because the students can’t keep up. Overheads projectors are too clumsy. They want me to do an extemporaneous class...for THREE hours. No. I can’t. I’m a little too linear for that. I HAVE to have the overheads, even if it’s just an outline to keep me on track. I’m doing it any how since the projectors IS there. They have all these visual props that look like Romper Room but they’re kinda fun if very simplistic. I just wish I knew I was doing lab since that was NOT in the paperwork I signed (Not that it would have changed my mind). Also, Blackboard which is an online teaching forum isn’t being utilized like it could be to make a good presentation, IMO. Then again, my mentors have been at this for years and they should know what works and what doesn’t. Still, I’d like parts of my lecture to go up on there. Must talk to them about that tomorrow.

First thing they said during my orientation was, you’re dressed a little formal (grey tweed pants and a pin stripe shirt, hell I looked like Giles’ date). That SCARES the student (okay that scares me) You know, I said that to mom when I spent the 200$ on a new wardrobe, most profs just wear jeans now. That’s sort of what they’re looking for jeans and a nice shirt. Well I had planned on wearing scrub clothes to lab if I had to teach one but there’s not time to change so that means my new wardrobe is going unworn and I need to go buy new jeans. Damn.

The last three hours of orientation was at Pat’s bar & grill over tacos and beer. Nice and relaxed and kinda fun when I get past the whole I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing fears (well, I AM going in tomorrow even though it’s optional because I HAVE to know how much to gut from my lecture. I know I have to dumb it down I need to know how much). The only problem with Pat’s is that it reminds me of Yogi’s in South Dakota, a place I could spend every night. That was my first thought about being here, look at all the little scary country bars. I have no TV. I’m afraid I’ll be in them every night like I used to. Must curb temptation.

Got a fridge today (joy of joys) still haven’t settled the bed problem and I THINK the furnace is working (at least this time it’s making the water thru the pipes noise). Nothing scarier than a furnace that could be on the fritz. Worse. It was 70 today. Tonight it’s going down to the 30's. I’m going to die, arthritis wise.

Oh and they’ve moved the Hodag (his journey well documented on the radio) and he’s now standing proudly on the main road so he can be seen (why he always wasn’t remains a mystery to me. I shall attempt to photograph the Hodag at a later date.

Oh met the English department. Seem like an interesting bunch. Shane looks 12. Must get to know him.

Comments

[leni-ba.livejournal.com]

Hmm, going half across the country, settling down, finding that half the things you planned for you'll have to re-plan and having a nervous attack the size of URSS.

As far as I know that's normal. You just breathe and hang in there. Everything will fall in place after that. From what I've heard so far, no, you're not making a huge mistake. Things just kinda got hectic on you, it sucks but it happens.

Just breathe.

*HUGS*

[rivin142.livejournal.com]

If they're nice, and a small place, it actually sounds like a decent place to start out.

I know you'll do a bang-up job. It's in your nature. And besides, you'll have a great story to tell about starting your teaching career. :)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

it's small, they're friendly. I could do worse. I just wished they would have been more forthright from the get go. I could have been here earlier and been far more prepared to dive in.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Thanks. See I'm a little too linear for this sometimes, a little too much like Monk (which means nothing if you don't see that USA program...)

Can't breathe too deep. I'll freeze my lungs...no lie, why the hell is it so cold in August (this is not natural, even for here)

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

Just take it day by day. You'll get through it and even if you don't like it in the end, you'll still gain more experience.

When I was in school (like a year ago, heh) I really liked the classes with powerpoint because it creates a nice visual aid to go along with the lecture. I never really had a problem keeping up with it and it actually helped a lot. Ideally, I think a class should have visual aids, lecture, and either lab work or discussion. It covers the three learning styles that way.

Blackboard is an annoying site, or it was when I tried to use it.

Dressing nice scares students? I never heard that one. I used to respect those ones who dressed up to come to work, it really makes a better impression that wearing any old thing. It seems like their better prepared and fully present.. or I'm just as vain as Cordelia, take your pick :)

Ah, the pain of looking 12 when you're older than that.. I know it well. I was in a high school picking up my cousin the other day and some teacher came over to me and started telling me I should be in class. I was like "I'm 21, dude."

[bashipforever.livejournal.com]

You'll do fine Dana. Sounds like you've just got the jitters. Good to know you've settled in.

Oh and I laughed out loud at the Giles' date image ;) Well you know tweed is scary ;)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Hey i LOVE tweed.

I feel better now, a little. Basically, I'm teaching the AP class I had in HIGH SCHOOL. I have to strip everything I know out and toss it, leaving the basics. Problem. CHEMISTRY is the first thing up. SHudder.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I hear you, frankly I think dress casual is appropriate (scares them is a nice way of saying I'm dealing with backwoods rednecks who don't trust people in suits).

I had Webct which is like blackboard. They're both useful but not easy to use.

I agree about powerpoint. The fear here is the prof will go TOO fast. That does happen. That's why you upload it to blackboard and they can PRINT It. I think the basic feeling is: this is on par wtih High school AP ANatomy/Phys. My students are not up to the level they need to be and this is your basic prep course. Sigh.

[marenfic.livejournal.com]

See, my experience is that students *tell* you if you're going too fast. My other experience is that if you truly just use PP as an outline and don't try to cram your lecture on the slides, there isn't a problem. I couldn't teach without PP. I'm guessing that the people who told you not to use it were older and perhaps not comfortable with technology?

Anyway, you're going to do great. You might have some rough lectures while you get the hand of things but I'll bet it comes together for you.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm with you on PP but it's not like I can do it anyhow when the head of the dept says no (and yes he is older). Thanks for the encouragment, reading the text now as I wait on the dial up