A little-known secret around campus is that our professors were once students. Nervous, confused, and probably as hungry as we all are while sitting through lectures, here are their first experiences as professors and what tips they have to offer for students taking their courses.
Humanizing Our Professors: Dan KallgrenHistory Department, Marinette Campus
Sometimes we get those classes where the instructor is less-than thrilling. Something about their lecture needs a little oomph every so often. As a guest lecturer and teaching assistant for his professor in graduate school, Professor Kallgren added just this to a class of nearly seventy-five students. Nervous but sure he wanted to do it, he entered with the announcement that he was not the professor they were expecting. A little bit of humor went a long way.Professor K. is very passionate about the history he teaches. He mentions that it’s always a new experience, even when he’s teaching, because there’s so much about history that he has yet to learn. Every bit gives him new depth and understanding. There’s a collaboration on both his part and the parts of his students, which I would have to agree creates a friendlier classroom environment. On a last note, he wants us to stop by! If you have nothing to say other than “hello,” head over to your instructors’ offices and introduce yourself. Not only will you grow to understand their educational methods and your materials better but it brightens their days to have that brief, friendly experience with you.