TA Orientation

Today I went to an orientation for my new position as a TA at UMASS. The day included a number of workshops on teaching strategies. Despite the fact that I feel completely overwhelmed by the thought of having to stand at the front of a classroom and command the attention of 30ish underslept (is that a word?) and probably hungover college students who couldn't care less about nutrition, I am actually just a little excited to try my hand at this whole teaching thing.

Until now, I have always had zero desire to teach anyone anything, ever. I have always said that the LAST thing I'd ever want to be is a teacher. Give me my own space, a computer, and some data and I'm happy. I usually prefer not to interact much with other people, especially in a capacity where I am providing some sort of service to them. Granted, teaching college students isn't exactly the same as flipping burgers at Mickey D's, but still, people are paying for something and I have to give it to them. Although they are not traditionally treated as such, students are customers.

Add to this my distaste for the sound of my own voice and aversion to being the center of attention, and it becomes pretty clear that I might not be well-suited to a teaching role. On the other hand, teachers do have pretty nice work schedules.

The speakers I had the fortune to hear today actually made me think twice about teaching. Perhaps I shouldn't write it off as a possible career choice after all. These instructors really knew what they were doing. And they made it sound like the experience of teaching could be interesting, exciting, and rewarding. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I would even enjoy it! Of course, these instructors were much more vibrant and charismatic than I could ever hope to be. Although they make it look easy, I have a feeling it will be much more difficult for me to keep people awake, nevermind get them to learn anything!

Now, my mind is racing with so many ideas. I'm not the most organized person, so it will be a challenge for me to organize them into a plan I can follow. My first official day as a TA is next Wednesday, September 16th. Hopefully I will feel prepared by then.