When I think about one of the most inuential 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 reect 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.1
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 o3ce hours to discuss
the concerns and feedback. According to the analysis of the TBC, two
factors appear to be associated with e5ective teaching: caring and
support and professional competency and communication. The mentioned
instructor lacked both factors (Bernstein, Frantz, & Chew, 2019).1
Two di5erent scriptures come to mind when I think about my role as a
future teacher and as I reect on this material relating to teaching. The
;rst is (Romans 12:6–7) having gifts that di5er 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 ;rst of all apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, then miracles and gifts of healing, helping, and
guidance with di5erent kinds of tongues (King James Bible Online, 2022).1
Reference
Bernstein, D.A., Frantz, S., & Chew, S. (2019). Teaching Psychology: A
Step-by-Step Guide (3rd ed.). Routledge.1https://doi-
org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.4324/9780429031823 1 (Links to an external
site.)
Online, K., 4:31-32, E., 12:18-20, R., & 16:27, R. (2022).1BIBLE VERSES
Kingjamesbibleonline.org
