Teaching at Simon's Rock during the first two years as a full-time faculty member has been an absolute privilege. I've received advice and support from veteran faculty. Staff have supported me with administration tasks that I could not do on my own. The students have been the biggest gift. Every student has chosen to be at Simon's Rock in the pursuit of education. To teach young people eager to learn is rare. They encourage me to be at my best, as a teacher and as a person, just so I can feel I am worthy of their enthusiasm and respect. I have learned as much from them as they have learned from me, and I've appreciated every moment.
Teaching at Simon's Rock is significantly different than other experiences I have had. For example, previously I planned my lessons such that I ask questions that lend to insight at specific points in my lesson. However, the Simon's Rock students ask many questions and these questions often foreshadow future points, sabotaging the "punchline" of a lesson. I was forced to change how I design a lesson. Rather than creating lessons so the insight is provided at certain points, I will now encourage these questions and thoughts from the very beginning of a lesson. I do this by explaining concepts slowly and watching the students as I do so. I do this by drawing pictures when I can. I do this by asking questions sooner rather than later that will cultivate the intuition, a learning type I was not used to teaching.
This is only one example of how I had to adapt. I have written a brief reflection on each course I have taught. Not only to share my experience with those who visit this online portfolio, but also so that I have a documentation for semesters in the future when I may teach these same courses. I include Academic Advising and Independent Project Advising.