A long overdue hello

Hello my friends!  It has been so long since I've seen you!  To be frank, I have been quite bored with myself and have not felt that I've had anything at all interesting to share.  I've been a bit uninspired, and I just did not want to inflict myself on you ... until now.

This is the first you've heard of this, but I have recently joined the ranks of those who inspire brilliance, creativity, and greatness in the hearts and minds of youngish people.  That's right--I have become a teacher!

In August, after 9 months of hounding a local community college, I received the best news in several years, when I was hired as an adjunct instructor and given two sections to teach.  I am adjunct instructor of a first year studies course, which focuses on time management, testing skills, career interests, etc.

So far the experience has been challenging, but enjoyable.  I still get the tiniest of butterflies before I enter my classrooms each Monday and Wednesday, and I flounder each week to figure out how to follow the ready-made syllabus and course objectives, keep discipline among the students, and still be a "cool" teacher.  This is my very first experience as an educator, and I am feeling my way through.  Each class period, I find something that I need to change for next time.  I am keeping a document of notes for improvements for next semester so I don't forget what I experience this semester. 

While I am feeling my way around, I thought I'd ask those of you who have spent time in education, particularly in higher ed, to send me links, pointers, words of wisdom, book recommendations, affirmations, etc, etc, to help me improve in my teaching, my classroom management, and my confidence as a teacher.  I would be ever so grateful!

Image from WeHeartIt.