teaching

[Guest guest]

Fred,

While working FT as a fundraiser, I moonlighted as a teacher - the $

was great and I had a few investments I wanted to fund, plus a hobby

of travel. I have taught high school, college and Adult Ed. High

school (seniors) were the most 'challenging' (especially during the

Spring!) and my Adult Ed courses were the most rewarding.

In high school I taught Contemporary Issues and Bioethics. At the

college level I primarily taught Primitive and Pre-Columbian Art

History to upper division students/most of them art majors. I loved

the discussions we had and theories ruminated upon. Also taught Life

Painting, which is a personal love, and Leadership Seminars - now

that was the BEST - ESL classes were so rewarding - teaching people

English who really WANTED to be there - they were some of the most

motivated people I have ever known.

I didn't do blackboards or stand and lecture, was often seated, being

on the 'same level' and my classes were all very interactive. So many

students in all classes were willing to help with whatever needed to

be done - anticipating the class needs. Matter of fact, I didn't

need anything in the way of CMT. Even though students had " advisors " ,

they often wanted to 'talk' about the class privately or share

personal struggles. I just kept firm boundaries.

Because I was 'contract' or semester to semester, I didn't need to

endure meetings and committees - lol, got enough of that in my 'day'

job.

I am still called upon once in awhile to take a class, but am much to

busy with everything else and the businesses. Although just to keep

my foot in the door, I will do a Guest Lecture 3 or 4X a year plus

maybe judge an exhibition or something similiar.

The paperwork and discipline involved in 'managing' high school

students teaching sometimes was too much - I preferred college or

Adult Ed. Looser, freer, often spirited and always insightful.

Don't know what type of teaching you are considering, but ask for

what you need and give it your best. You have no idea how eager

people are for knowledge.

Gretchen