The Challenges and Rewards of Teaching
On April 7, 2009 Jennifer Plos and Renee Polubinsky, faculty in Kinesiology, led a spirited discussion around the challenges and rewards of college-level teaching. Both former Provost Award for Teaching winners, Jennifer and Renee offered some insight into what challenges both students and faculty face, and what "success factors" lead to a rewarding educational experience.
Highlights and Points of Discussion I. What are some teaching challenges for faculty ? These tend to be common and shared among faculty and include:
Motivating students
Time constraints and maintaining a balanced workload
Keeping student attention
Keeping up with changes in the content and student needs
Student diversity
II. What are some teaching rewards for faculty ? These tend to be much more personal and individual:
Seeing your students succeed
Helping your students gain confidence and self-esteem
Personal satisfaction for a job well done
Positive student evaluations
Engaging in life-long learning
III. What are the challenges that our students face?
Balancing work/school/family and other demands
Temptations and distractions (e.g., the college experience)
Maintaining motivation
Adjusting to different faculty member styles
IV. What do students perceive as rewards?
Grades
Praise and positive feedback
Progress towards graduation
Future internship or job success
Scholarships, awards, or entry into graduate school
V. How do we bring these two perspectives together?
Successful learner-centered teachers considers how challenges and rewards play in their students' lives...not just in their own.
Bring motivation to the "center" of the instruction...meet in the middle...and negotiate the paths to success.
Share the responsibility of the classroom with students.
Help "keep it real" and help students connect the classroom activity to their future roles or something they value.
Reinforce your role in positively impacting a student's future (e.g., suggesting internships, telling real-world stories, getting to know students and their goals).
III. So what strategies work in helping faculty see teaching as a rewarding experience?
Develop strong working relationships with students so you can see the impact you have had on their futures.
Look for opportunities to coach students in the classroom, offering opportunities to tell stories, practice, get feedback, learn from mistakes, and allowing students to take full advantage of your expertise and guidance.
Per John Maxwell, "Make today count." (See Jenn and Renee's example below.) Ask yourself three questions:
What is required of you?
What activities give the greatest return?
What provides the greatest reward?
Handouts and Resources
