The Student Professor
Written By Asia Howe
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy
It is said that a student has not mastered a concept until he/she can teach it to someone. Over the 2013 Fall semester, then junior and English major, Karl Hennen tested this belief via the directed study, ENG 482: Teaching Composition. In sum, the study entailed him assisting Professors Seri Luangphinith and Kirsten Mollegaard with their respective ENG 100T: Composition with Tutorial and ENG 100: Composition I classes. Put elaborately, the study required him to act as a “student professor,” lecturing on textbook material, facilitating group discussions on readings, and organizing activities related to readings. The junior was always, of course, taught under either Professor Luangphinith or Mollegaard’s supervision or, when he substitute-taught for the former, a staff member’s supervision.
Although his position as an assistant may seem intimidating, Hennen never entered the classroom unprepared. “I read several texts on classroom management, learning styles, and pedagogy to obtain full credit for English 482,” he explains. “Once I began helping my professors I applied these readings to my experiences in a tangible way. The books gave me a grounded foundation of what to do with my position as an assistant: I could directly see how to best navigate the educational system with regard to various personalities (including my own), the layout of the classroom, and the nature of students’ work. In addition, I employed knowledge of other teachers to mold my pedagogical persona. I took my observations of the self-discipline of professors, my academic seriousness, and my study skills and used them in conjunction with [my] sense of humor. The combination of teaching manuals, inspiration from professors I assisted, and my own offbeat passion for learning were traits I applied to teaching students.”
UH Hilo Fall 2014 Graduate and student teacher, Karl Hennen. Photo provided by Hennen.
Hennen was encouraged to do the directed study by his academic advisor, Professor Luangphinith, who helped him design a plan which would allow him to graduate on time. The study fulfilled an English elective credit he needed for his degree. He started the coursework in the summer, reading textbooks, completing assignments, and creating teaching schedules with both professors. All this work readied the junior for the position of a teaching assistant; the students of the ENG 100T and 100 courses, however, were at first not as ready to have one of their own head their classes. Hennen dealt with unwillingness to participate in class and group discussions as well as sarcastic replies to his questions.
“Students in both classes eventually warmed up to me despite these hiccups,” he says. “They would be less resistant to approach me with questions, enjoyed the activities I had planned, and notified me of their progress. I bridged empathy between us via humor and relevant examples to their lives, and they followed my instructions. Once they saw I was, in a sense, on their side, we maintain[ed] [the] successful learning environment set forth by their professor.”
As his position was due to his directed study, Hennen was not paid for his labor. Now a graduate who intends to earn a Master’s degree in education, he is happy that he placed himself before his fellow students and helped propel their progress in English. When asked what the most satisfying aspect of his “job” was, the 25-year-old tried his best to select a single one from his multitude of gratifying facets, but in the end, could not choose a sole aspect.
Karl Hennen (far right) assisted with one ENG 100 and one ENG 100T course.
He also participated in the Office of Applied Learning Experiences (ALEX) before
graduating in Fall 2014. Photo courtesy of Karl Hennen.
“I do not want to limit myself to any rewarding sentiment, however big or small,” Hennen states. “For me, the [most] rewarding aspect of teaching, lone or assisting, is the joy of its own endeavor. Interning is a wonderful opportunity coloring an expanded world with new memories and servicing your community at large with talents that may very well lead to an even brighter success. The future begins with a happy step forward.”
Students who wish to engage in an internship of their own may visit the University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) Career Development Services internship listings webpage, the UHH Credit-Bearing Internships webpage, or their academic advisor.
