In each case, I help redefine their focus from an overwhelming impenetrable economics course to small, manageable steps of achievement. I have witnessed the transformation of several students attitudes from apprehension to eagerness with this encouragement. I have benefited from a variety of situations that called heavily on my flexibility as a planner and as an educator. When a class of night students turns out to be half main campus students, it may not be such a great idea to hand out answer keys with each homework and simply trust that they will do the work. When students take longer than planned to work through a concept and it throws off the whole lecture schedule, cramming everything else in before the exam is not the way to encourage thorough learning.
Flexibility is crucial to keeping things flowing smoothly.
I have found students recognize and appreciate flexibility as a human and approachable quality in an instructor. I maintain high expectations of my students each semester. I also have high expectations of myself. Through my attention to course content, communication, student learning, subject enthusiasm, student success, and my own flexibility, I create an environment in which, I believe, any student can and will learn.