When I think about one of the most influential instructors, it would be a professor
I had in my graduate program at Colorado Christian University. I remember the
day she asked to set up a private meeting to discuss one of my papers. Naturally,
the anxiety set in with thinking of worse case outcomes (participating in some
cognitive distortions), but at that moment, I realized that a compassionate and
thoughtful instructor was teaching me. She requested the meeting to review
feedback on a paper addressing the long-term goals I had to enter a Ph.D.
program after graduate school. Her feedback was positive and constructive, and
she encouraged me to follow my dreams throughout the conversation. As
previously mentioned, all but one instructor in my graduate program were patient,
encouraging, and passionate about teachings us to become a knowledgeable
therapists. As I reflect on table 1.1 and tie it to the instructors at Colorado
Christian University, they were enthusiastic about teaching, clear about goals,
positive, good listeners, humble, promotors, respectful, and engaging. Furthermore,
I would like to emphasize they were humble as they laid a good foundation for
establishing teacher-student boundaries; however, they did not take a superior
approach. They expressed being humble not only to serve the Lord but also to
walk alongside our learning journey.
Although I had a wonderful experience with great leaders who taught at CCU and
have had a wonderful experience at Liberty, unfortunately, one instructor was new
to the university. He provided a negative experience for the entire class. In my
opinion, one instructor can make or break a student in the aspect one instructor
can lead a student or a class to question the entire program. This instructor
displayed poor inappropriate grading, hostile and derogatory feedback, and was
not receptive to meeting via chat or phone to provide clarity. The entire class
challenged his grades by providing the program director documentation on his
feedback which ultimately led to his termination, and our grades were adjusted.
This one instructor has created some nervousness with new instructors. Overall,
this instructor could have graded fairly according to the rubric, could have
provided constructive feedback, and should have made attempts to meet with
students during his office hours to discuss the concerns and feedback. According
to the analysis of the TBC, two factors appear to be associated with effective
teaching: caring and support and professional competency and communication.
The mentioned instructor lacked both factors (Bernstein, Frantz, & Chew, 2019).
Two different scriptures come to mind when I think about my role as a future
teacher and as I reflect on this material relating to teaching. The first is (Romans
12:6–7) having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us; let us use them
if your prophecy is in proportion to our faith and in service in our serving to the
one who teaches in his teaching (King James Bible Online, 2022). The second
scripture is (Corinthians 12:27-28), now you are the body of Christ, and each one
of you is a part of it. Therefore, God has placed in the church first of all apostles,
second prophets, third teachers, then miracles and gifts of healing, helping, and
guidance with different kinds of tongues (King James Bible Online, 2022).
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