1. Professional Confidence and Enhancing Your Teaching Skills
Cheryl Aschenbach, ASCCC North Representative
Craig Rutan, ASCCC Area D Representative
2017 ASCCC Part Time Faculty Leadership Institute

2. Welcome How long have you been teaching?
Less than one year
One to three years
More than three years
How many colleges have you taught at?
One
Two
Three
Four or more

3. Teaching
No matter what has brought you to teaching, we all want to do the best job that we can
How do some teachers seem so natural when they are in front of a classroom?
How do you keep the attention of your students, no matter how boring the topic?
How do you go from being a part time to a full time faculty member?

4. Confidence Very few people enter a new environment with confidence
Confidence is built upon years of training and experience to know that you will be able to adapt and adjust to the unknown
No matter what situation you will encounter, preparation is the key to overcoming nervousness and fear

5. Everyone Starts Somewhere
Very few people were born to be a teacher
Becoming an effective teacher will take a lot of work and dedication
Everyone has to teach their first class and no one is perfect the first time out
When you are starting, be willing to admit to your mistakes and be willing to try something else

6. Each Class is an Opportunity
Each class is an opportunity to engage with your students
Students will disengage if you give the impression that you don’t want to be there, are nervous, or if you are not prepared
Be willing to seek feedback from students on new activities or assignments
Be professional and always be prepared for class! Whether you use prepared notes or not, plan out what you are hoping to cover that day. Don’t just wing it because they will know.

7. Respect Your Students
Your students are there to learn and they need your help to get there
Be yourself and be prepared
Keep students engaged by asking them questions – make sure you learn their names because you expect them to learn yours
Arrive early enough to greet students and engage with them individually as they arrive for class; engage with them during breaks and after class as appropriate
Provide feedback throughout the semester
Return graded work as quickly as possible!

8. Seek Help From Other Faculty
Other faculty members in your department are there to help
Ask for advice about the class that you are teaching
Are there topics where students struggle?
Are there some topics where you should spend more time?
Are there some topics that are essential for the next class?
Ask a faculty member you trust to come and observe your class.
Get classroom advice from an experienced teacher
Help with your natural anxiety about being observed
Ask to watch other faculty members teach their classes, including in disciplines very different than your own

9. Expand Your Teaching
We all have classes that we love to teach, but if you only ever teach a single class you are less likely to get a full time position
Go to the department chair and make it clear that you are willing and wanting to teach any class
Teaching new classes every semester requires more work, but it forces you out of your comfort zone and expands your repertoire
Seek continual improvement of the classes you teach
Make adjustments to content, delivery, and assignments
Don’t let your class become static from semester to semester

10. Get Involved with the Department
It is often difficult for part time faculty to be involved beyond the classroom, but try to be engaged
Be an active part of SLO assessment and offer suggestions if you have any
Give feedback on the curriculum and make suggestions for possible changes
Attend department meetings if you are able. When you are visible, you will get a better sense of what it is like to be a full time faculty member
Attend flex activities and committee meetings if you are able. Be visible.

11. Service Outside of the Department
Some colleges welcome the participation of part time faculty as members of groups like the academic senate – some even offer compensation
Whether you are able to be an official committee member or not, meetings like the academic senate are open and a great place to learn about the college and how college governance works
Questions about committee work or governance could be part of your full time interview!

12. Professional Development
As academics, we are always trying to learn
Look for professional development opportunities in your discipline or around teaching
Many colleges offer opportunities to attend conferences to part time faculty – make sure to let your dean know that you would be interested
Whether you are seeking to be a full time faculty member or want to stay part time, we all have things that we can do better!

13. Summary
Even when you are starting something new, you are the expert in the room
It is natural to be nervous, even when you are an experienced faculty member
Always be prepared and show your students respect
Expand your teaching repertoire
Get involved on campus
Seek out opportunities to improve

14. Thank You for Coming Do you have any questions?
Cheryl Aschenbach –
Craig Rutan –