Instructor interview of Teaching an Adult class

1. Instructor InterviewInstructor Interview
By Jeraldine HamiltonBy Jeraldine Hamilton

2. IntroductionIntroduction
 Community College SettingCommunity College Setting
 Instructor works part-timeInstructor works part-time
 Adult EducationAdult Education

3. How do you prepare yourself forHow do you prepare yourself for
this course?this course?
 Create some course goalsCreate some course goals
 Jot down ideas for reaching those goalsJot down ideas for reaching those goals
 Sketch out a syllabus that you think willSketch out a syllabus that you think will
work.work.
 As the term progresses, returnAs the term progresses, return
occasionally to the beginning of the termoccasionally to the beginning of the term
journal to read my thoughts and recordjournal to read my thoughts and record
othersothers
 Constantly adjusting my course materialsConstantly adjusting my course materials

4. What do you like about your job?What do you like about your job?
 Meeting the needs of othersMeeting the needs of others
 Engaging students in meaningful service-Engaging students in meaningful service-
learning experiences.learning experiences.
 Interacting with peersInteracting with peers
 Receiving the information given, andReceiving the information given, and
being able to share what they havebeing able to share what they have
learned.learned.

5. What are the challenges you faceWhat are the challenges you face
in your job?in your job?
 With the younger adults, I have the task ofWith the younger adults, I have the task of
having them to understand the importance ofhaving them to understand the importance of
perseverance and working hard even when theyperseverance and working hard even when they
feel like giving up.feel like giving up.
 Be able to see the importance of initiative andBe able to see the importance of initiative and
putting their best effort into what they do.putting their best effort into what they do.
 Preparing and demonstrating a lessons to meetPreparing and demonstrating a lessons to meet
individuals’ need.individuals’ need.
 Communicating on so many different levels.Communicating on so many different levels.

6. Describe your familiarity andDescribe your familiarity and
experience with different teachingexperience with different teaching
styles or method?styles or method?
 Formal lectures to small-groupFormal lectures to small-group
interactions.interactions.
 Participatory instructional method.Participatory instructional method.
 Peer group work.Peer group work.

7. What advice do you have forWhat advice do you have for
someone starting out?someone starting out?
 Find creative and innovative ways to teach.Find creative and innovative ways to teach.
 No matter what your role in the classroom, if youNo matter what your role in the classroom, if you
do not have control of what is going on, yourdo not have control of what is going on, your
students will flounder. Good classroomstudents will flounder. Good classroom
management becomes increasingly important.management becomes increasingly important.
 Patience and effective communication skills.Patience and effective communication skills.
 Time management.Time management.

8. SummarySummary
 The instructor has a B.S. degree in Political Science, andThe instructor has a B.S. degree in Political Science, and
a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. He has ten yearsa Masters Degree in Criminal Justice. He has ten years
in the military. Minister in one of the local churches.in the military. Minister in one of the local churches.
Additionally, teaches at the community college for theAdditionally, teaches at the community college for the
past twenty years.past twenty years.
 Adult learners have a lot of concerns for continuing theirAdult learners have a lot of concerns for continuing their
career and continue with their family responsibilities.career and continue with their family responsibilities.
 When the instructor spoke on improving the use ofWhen the instructor spoke on improving the use of
nonverbal communication by being sensitive to context,nonverbal communication by being sensitive to context,
audience, and feedback we had a very deep discussionaudience, and feedback we had a very deep discussion
because you have to adapt.because you have to adapt.
 Overall, I enjoyed my interview and would use them inOverall, I enjoyed my interview and would use them in
the future.the future.