My Favorite Class

It was the last day of classes and I entered the room quietly. A number of students were already there. Usually I am the first one in the classroom but, hey, students aren’t the only ones who get excited about the semester coming to an end. As I entered I overheard some students talking, students who did not yet know I was there (okay, so call it eavesdropping if you prefer). There was a common theme that many of them expressed. The indicated that when the semester started, Public Speaking was the class they were least looking forward to but now, as the year was coming to an end, it was there favorite class and the one they will miss the most.

Obviously there are a number of factors that make a class successful. Some of those the instructor can control but many of the factors are beyond our control. This class just seemed to gel. People got along. When I tried getting a discussion going, students were responsive. So, in large part, the success is a tribute to the students.

That being said, Public Speaking is considered one of the greatest fears people have in today’s world. To hear people talk about the class in a positive manner, is certainly very rewarding and is, in part, a comment on the way I taught the class. Certainly it was a rewarding experience to hear the comments made. It was also rewarding to know they were not just sucking up for a good grade. It truly was a good group and one that I am sorry I will no longer be teaching. Hopefully next year I will get another good group of students.