10 Things I’ve Learned Teaching

Observations from teaching in post-secondary

It’s not just the students that are learning.

It’s time to share a few of the things that I’ve learned as a part-time prof teaching in colleges in my second year — both online and in-person, and teaching both continuing education courses and undergraduate diploma courses.

These are of course not black-and-white blanket statements, but are true from my perspective and experiences.

1. The most valuable parts of a class are often not the lecture itself, but the discussions around them.
2. Real-world examples are key for context.
3. Students aren’t simply seeking education, they’re looking for career advice and even life advice.
4. Community is important, and going through a program as a cohort is powerful. Building connections and real relationships, and going through challenging times together helps.
5. There’s a lot on the line for some students, particularly those who are newcomers or international students. Classes mean more than learning a new skill, they’re a path to a greater goal of security and starting a new life here in Canada.
6. In-person classes can be much better. They’re less sustainable and take up more time, but the quality is often higher in my experience and there are more opportunities for other benefits beyond what’s on the slides. I’ve taught some really great online classes too, but it can be exhausting for all involved with so much screen time.
7. Every instructor or professor has their own unique POV, and that’s important because there’s not one way of doing things (unlike high school where things are meant to be much more standardized). All experiences are valid. It’s important to watch your biases, have caveats, and do your own research.
8. The most accurate teachers are often still practicing their craft, working in the industry. Things change quickly, so staying current on how things are done today is so important when you’re guiding the future of the industry.
9. Group projects may be a necessary evil, as they’re a sample of the realities of the real world of work. You have to learn how to work with people of different work ethic, abilities, and views. No, it’s usually not fair — in school or in life.
10. You never know how much you’ve impacted a student. You may find out years later, or you may never find out. (And from my own experience as a student, there are past teachers and profs who I’ve referenced countless times in my career, without them having any idea).