Arg, new job stress...

[Samedy]

So I teach a computer class for immigrants. It's my new job. And it feels like it is about to bottom out. Today I had 50% of my students show.

 

When the program started my supervisor told me that I should keep the first week very easy, so we can still accept students for the following week. I did that, some students complained that the course was too easy. So then my supervisor told me to make it more difficult. I am doing that, some students are struggling, and the students who thought it was too easy stopped showing up to class today.

 

I don't even think it is too easy. I am using fairly standard texts. All my handouts are from Computer 101 classes. Office isn't exactly difficult when you know it, which is exactly what I am supposed to be teaching. The only way to really make it more difficult is to teach VBA, which I can't.

 

The students who think it is easy have fairly high educational backgrounds; they are engineers and financial accountants, so I get that it is easy for them. At the same time it is frustrating, my evaluations depend on attendance. If I can't get them to stay, then I am wondering how long this new job is going to last for....

[rosephase]

It happens. People enroll in classes that are wrong for them. I would imagine a basic computer class would have a lot of turn over in the first two weeks as people find out if it's right for them. That isn't your fault.

[IvantheAvg]

I don't even think it is too easy. I am using fairly standard texts. All my handouts are from Computer 101 classes. Office isn't exactly difficult when you know it, which is exactly what I am supposed to be teaching

 

All you can do is the best you can, trust yourself and let the chips fall where they may.

[emma34]

Talk to your supervisor and express your concerns. It will look good that you are wanting to improve. Maybe he will tell you it's 100% normal to have half your class drop out, or else give you some tips to keep ppl in the class.

[Samedy]

Well it is a new program (a pilot program), when I started working here part time I was the only teacher for another program, that had only 3 students attend a day. Now it is the most popular program they offer here; with a rather large waiting list.

 

I think one of the biggest challenges we have, is that because it is a program funded by the government, the students don't have to pay anything. Whereas the other programs, students have to pay.

 

Students in this program can leave with no consequence or loss of money. Where the other program, they are more willing to stick it out during the rough parts.

 

I had this problem with another program I ran years ago. It was free so people would treat it like a drop in. Then I put in a $5 token fee and no one ever missed a class.

 

I don't think we have the same option here.