Two years ago, when I was teaching a Digital Photography class at a local community college, I found myself stretched too thin while juggling a full time design job, part-time teaching gig and simultaneously remodeling my house.
I had made a habit of always preparing work for my lecture the weekend before my actual class and then putting the content out of my mind until it was time to teach. I would then show up to class and teach based on the notes I had outlined for myself.
Well one particular class, I thought I was prepared, but half way through the lecture, I realized I had no more notes and NO IDEA what I was supposed to cover next. I tried winging it, flipping through my textbook (which is normally highlighted with notes in the margins) looking for anything to talk about. Not only had I not made notes, I had not actually finished reading the chapter. Talk about unprepared. I totally stumbled for 15 more minutes of the lecture before giving up and sending my students home early.
I’m sure my students didn’t mind too much, but I felt pretty bad. Lesson learned: always make sure you are prepared and at the very least know the topic you are supposed to be talking about.
Cheree Moore
