Uncomfortable Praise

Posted by Robyn on Mar 3, 2009 in General |

Lately, I have been feeling slightly uncomfortable with the amount of praise I get from my students. I am a software trainer, and I typically train half-day or full-day classes in your typical Microsoft and Adobe products. It’s a lot of fun, and I really enjoy it.

But since I started this job, I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who not only give me a good review on the course evaluation, but actually come up to me after class and make a special effort to say how enjoyable the class was, how I was the best teacher they ever had, etc. It especially makes me uncomfortable when they compare me directly with my co-workers — all of whom have more seniority than me! WTF are you supposed to say to that?

I guess it partly has to do with the fact that I haven’t been doing this very long, and often feel I’m bringing my “B” game. For some of the software I’m teaching, my knowledge only goes about an inch deeper than the manual I’m training out of. Yet everyone seems to think I’m an expert. Also, when you teach every day, it’s hard not to have a bad day once in a while. I guess I feel like I’m barely treading water most of the time, but then I get all this massive praise. It makes me feel like a fraud!

I’ve always wondered whether being a good teacher was dependent more on your knowledge of the subject, or more on your skill in teaching and ability to make the class enjoyable. Clearly, some of both is necessary, but what do you think is MOST important?

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