*Teacher confessions is a two-part interview. Part I can be seen here.
Honestly, how much time do you spend planning lectures?
Not much at all. I usually will skim through the given text or pre-made powerpoint and will just discuss whatever highlights are emphasized. At the same time, if I come up with an idea or topic throughout my day and realize that it is something relevant to the course, I will bring it up for discussion with the class.
Feel free to not answer this, but: Do you ever find yourself attracted to students?
You’re starting to push it, but I promised to be brutally honest. Of course. Professors are humans, not robots. The same way that anybody finds someone attractive or someone turns them on, the same happens to a teacher.
Would you ever act on it?
I never have and I always tell myself that I would never. At the same time, if I met a student that seemed mature enough to handle it and keep their mouth shut, one thing may lead to another. I have never put myself in that situation.
Do you consider yourself to be a good professor?
It depends what you clarify as good. Ethically, I could see how my methods would be viewed as questionably. At the same time, my colleagues and friends who teach have does worse than I have. In regards to students learning the material, I feel that my students may not leave the course knowing a lot about the course material, but I do always integrate advice on life and adjustments they’ll have to make as they continue to grow-up.
What kind of advice?
Advice on life. Whether it be how to carry yourself when working in the real world, or how they need to keep themselves presentable at all times. I keep in general and try to put them on the right path to launch their real professional career, and not the squeaky clean one outlined in the textbooks.
Last question: Do you enjoy teaching?
It’s an easy job when you get there. Although it doesn’t pay that well, its easy to have another job and there is plenty of off-time. On top of that, I like to work with people and working with students feels good. The work that it took to become a teacher is the real pain.
Real last question: Is it honestly hard to become a teacher?
(laughs) There are requirements that you’re supposed to follow. Getting the right people to like you and knowing the right people is how you can easily skip most of the requirements. Being an alumni at a campus would probably help your chances, as well. Traveling to teach makes it even easier at times. Some foreign teachers make an agreement or stipend with a school or university.
