Teaching
from Experience: How to Get Started
Some
adult programs are experience-oriented, others demand credentials.
You need to determine which are which. Even community colleges offer non-credit
courses taught by non-academics, so don't rule out any possibilities until
you've done your homework. Ask for catalogs from as many programs as you
can locate in your area. Besides the obvious, don't overlook places such
as the YMCA and similar non-school organizations that offer classes.
In many areas,
independent adult ed programs are being started. These programs are especially
open to creative, even offbeat program ideas. You may have a class that
would be appropriate to several venues, each with its own audience. Research
every local possibility.
Solicit
wish lists from local programs. Independent programs and community
colleges are often tuned in to similar programs in other cities and try
to duplicate successful topics not offered in their area. Many schools
have a teacher application form and also a list of classes they would
like to offer. In addition to your own class ideas, you might find a topic
on the wish list that's perfect for you to teach.
Call
the program director to discuss your ideas. If they like your
class topics, they may ask for a written proposal. Better yet, they may
suggest that you meet with them. I've found these pros to be extremely
helpful in refining ideas. A savvy program director will be knowledgeable
about the students whom they serve and can suggest changes that may make
your class more attractive to their audience. Take advantage of their
expertise.
If
you haven't already done so, write a class proposal. Different
schools have different ideas about what needs to be included in a proposal.
Some will want a description that's the length and format of the class
descriptions published in their catalogs; others will want a more detailed
description that includes your course objectives, a step-by-step outline
of your class, and a copy of the handouts you'll be using. The best class
descriptions have a catchy title, a clear description of the content,
and a short teacher bio.
While
it may be good for your other business or your community visibility to
align yourself with an adult ed program, make creating and delivering
a good class your top priority. No program wants teachers who
view this as an opportunity to do a long commercial for themselves. Check,
also, on the school's policy about marketing other products and/or services
through your class. In some places it's strictly prohibited, while more
entrepreneurial programs encourage marketing as long as its handled tastefully
and is appropriate to the class.
Realize
that teaching adults is quite different from teaching children.
A roomful of 10-year-olds will have more in common than a roomful of adults.
Adults show up with varied backgrounds and more expectations. While most
adult learners are wonderful, once in a while you'll have a student you
wish had stayed home. Don't let the occasional thorn keep you from sharing
your great information.
Teacher
payment plans vary, so ask about your options. Some programs
offer an hourly teaching rate while others pay a percentage of each student's
enrollment. If your class needs to be limited in size, you'll probably
earn more if you take the hourly fee. On the other hand, if you expect
to attract a large group, you'll want to take advantage of being paid
a percentage. Not all schools pay their teachers equally. For instance,
I've been teaching for several years in a program that has since lowered
its teacher payments; since my classes repeatedly do well, I am paid at
the original rate. Don't be afraid to negotiate as generous a deal as
you can.
Don't
be dismayed if your first classes are small. This can actually
be an advantage if you're inexperienced at teaching. Keep improving your
material and build your confidence through repeated practice. If you really
believe in your subject and give it your best shot every time, you're
enrollments are bound to grow. In the event that you miscalculated interest
in your subject, go back to the drawing board and see if a new subject
or angle might be a bigger success.
If
you discover that you enjoy working with adult learners as much as I do,
you'll find continuing opportunities to expand your teaching. You
can enlarge your repertoire to include other topics or you can offer your
classes in other geographic areas.
Teaching can
be a wonderfully portable occupation that can contribute to your growth
as well as to the growth of your students. Once you've taken a class idea,
smoothed out all the bumps, and proven it's a winner, you'll find new
ways and places with eager new students waiting for you to show up.
There's
more where this came from.
Order Winning Ways now!
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