Saturday, December 10, 2011

You can just call me "Professor Mom"

I've been taking a professional development class in fourth grade science from the district this semester.  I had to be pretty much coerced into taking it.  I didn't want to take one more class - ever.  It is being taught by a district teacher about half my age and a retired professor of education from Westminster College.  I ended up liking both the class and the women teaching it.  The former professor has also been to my classroom to observe a methods student who taught a couple of lessons to my second grade group.  I ended up sitting with the two of them giving some feedback and helping the young lady see that her lesson hadn't been a total failure like she thought.

That evening the professor called me out in the hall.  I, of course, thought I had done something wrong...me and my big mouth...but no.  She asked me if I had ever thought about teaching at the college level and did I want to consider teaching the science methods course at Westminster?  I was surprised and flattered.  She told me the college had hired someone to replace her and was dissatisfied with them.  She said she was going to talk to the dean.  I thought, "Yeah, sure."

The very next day she emailed me and put me in touch with Westminster.  Long story sort of short - I'll be teaching science methods for pre-service teachers next semester.  It's considered an adjunct instructor position, but I can't get the family to stop calling me Professor Mom.

It fell in my lap, but it's something I've been thinking about for quite some time.  Part-time work at a community college or university would be a great thing to do in another city, but most places won't hire you unless you have experience.  And here experience came, knocking at my door.  I am a bit intimidated by the caliber of the other instructors for the methods classes.  I know one personally and have met with another.  The level of discourse is incredibly high and I am hoping I have the ability to give my students the quality experience Westminster expects.  Fortunately, a colleague is teaching the graduate level of the same course and has offered to share his materials and syllibus with me.  He even asked if I would like him to come to the first session and help me get started.  YES - of course.  

Only time will tell if I have bitten off more than I can chew.  I hope not.  P.S.  I kind of like being called Professor Mom.

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