Having conversation in Japan
Instructing at a masters level
Teaching
constellations
My first experience with teaching was at Dickson College, where I was asked to be the
teaching assistant for an Astronomy class. It was my job to set up telescopes, give
constellation quizzes in the observatory, and handle the grading for the class.
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Teaching English in Japan was my next experience as a teacher after I graduated from college. Needless to say, I was nervous not only about the position itself, but about the move to an Asian country. Before I accepted my one-year contract, I had never flown...anywhere.
Because the private language school I worked for, NOVA Intercultural Institute, was flexible and willing to take care of their new "geijin," I had more fun than I had problems adjusting to the new environment.
At NOVA, I taught eight classes every day—an admittedly exhausting schedule. And
while it was hard work, the students' conversations fascinated me. Because I was teaching
conversational English, I was able to develop lesson plans that allowed my class to learn
while participating in a cultural exchange. They were as eager to know about the US as I
was about Japan.
Although I came from teaching in Japan to the masters program at Carnegie Mellon, when I was asked to teach Desktop Publishing this year, I was unsure whether I had the courage (and skill) to teach at a masters level. Because I was interested in honing my software as well as my public speaking skills, I accepted. I've enjoyed planning classes, exercises, designing worksheets and a website for the class. And I've had the opportunity to pick up some of the lesser-known techniques for using Photoshop and Illustrator.
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Throughout all my positions—as teacher, designer, and writer—I've found that the key is commmunication.