Spring of Sophomore Year, I ended a year long commitment T.A. position with the College of Education. It was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to work with the education staff and fellow colleagues. I was able to hone my public speaking and time management skills. I was also tuned into logistical issues that came out throughout the year. However, when the time came to renew my one-year contract, I knew I wanted to expand my interests in different ways. My experience as a T.A. offered little flexibility and creativity, a feeling my math and computer science T.A. friends had as well. In meetings, we rarely talked about effective teaching strategies, more concerned on curriculum and administrative logistics.
To become a Honors 100 Peer Educator, we had to take a 2-credit course preparing us to become a T.A. These Wedensday Peer Educator meetings expanded my view on learning and leadership within the classroom. For one, the structure and topics in Honors 100 are unique and nontraditional. Recognizing the diversity of students in my classroom that can come from a wide range of backgrounds, the topics in Honors 100 encourage active engagement and discussion. With this, I know our classroom topics will not have "one answer," as Honors is a space for students from different fields to have dialogues about current world problems.
Subsquently, I learned to take on the role as an impartial facilitator, not an active teacher. I think one of the most challenging things for me is to be conscious of not interjecting my personal opinions too much. I need to practice having a dialogue in the classroom. I need to be more content to let students dominate the conversation -- even if I want to promote my belief.. I recognize that I am in a position of power and disagreeing with students can stilt their contributions in the class.
Kim, an Honors advisor and instructor for the Peer Educator class encouraged us to deviate from having slides. It was surprising to hear. Most of the time, I associate teaching with technology. When I consider the technology currently incorporated into my classes, I agree that an over-reliance on technology can detract from learning. As a result, I tried my best to not use slides to the best of my ability.
Here is one of the lesson plans I've created for next year. Lesson Plan 4, Health and Wellness, was one of the most challenging topics. Since mental health is so stigmatized and incredibly sensitive, I wasn't sure what to include. I was able to form my plan through discussions with my fellow peer educators and Honors advisors. Our peer educator retreat wheel activity was also incorporated into this activity. As I grow into my leadership skills, I have discovered it's okay to not know everything. Leadership entails recognizing your own weakness and trying to better yourself.
The greatest growth I experienced as a leader during this class was being open to new ideas. With that, I am eager to begin my journey as an Honors 100 Peer Educator!
ts funny, the way life can come to a full circle.