The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom [Paperback]

Richard E. Lyons (Author), Marcella L. Kysilka (Author), George E. Pawlas (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205287743 | ISBN-13: 978-0205287741 | Publication Date: December 28, 1998

In recent years, colleges and universities have markedly increased their employment of adjunct professors. Unfortunately, many adjunct professors enter the classroom with little or no training in teaching and classroom management techniques and suffer frustrations which are painful to both themselves and their institutions! This book provides the guidance and addresses the issues imperative to the adjunct professor. Each chapter addresses classroom survival issues with appropriate context and bulleted lists of "Do's and Don'ts." The perspective of "Through the Adjunct's Eyes," near the end of each chapter, shares common classroom successes and challenges. "Tips for Thriving," a bulleted review of key points and suggested additional readings, concludes each chapter. The book concludes with chapters on self-evaluation and techniques for building a part-time career in academe. Anyone who is interested in how to begin their approach to teaching.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In recent years, colleges and universities have markedly increased their employment of adjunct professors. Unfortunately, many adjunct professors enter the classroom with little or no training in teaching and classroom management techniques and suffer frustrations which are painful to both themselves and their institutions! This book provides the guidance and addresses the issues imperative to the adjunct professor.

Each chapter addresses classroom survival issues with appropriate context and bulleted lists of "Do's and Don'ts." The perspective of "Through the Adjunct's Eyes," near the end of each chapter, shares common classroom successes and challenges. "Tips for Thriving," a bulleted review of key points and suggested additional readings, concludes each chapter. The book concludes with chapters on self-evaluation and techniques for building a part-time career in academe.

Anyone who is interested in how to begin their approach to teaching.

About the Author

Richard E. Lyons, Ed.D., is the Senior Consultant with Faculty Development Associates, consulting with, and providing workshops to, institutions throughout North America. He served as lead author on The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success (Allyn and Bacon, 1999) and has written or edited numerous articles for popular journals. Dr. Lyons also coordinates faculty development at Indian River Community College, where he previously served as Professor of Buisness Management, department chair, and instructional dean.

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon (December 28, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205287743
• ISBN-13: 978-0205287741
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must for any part-time instructor., April 9, 2000

By 

Frank (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom (Paperback)

Having reviewed several books for aspiring and new college instructors, I found The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success to be the one book that will help you most in launching your part-time teaching career. The book addresses not only the technical and logistical aspects of teaching, but the critical emotional and psychological issues that you will experience. Its contents address how to get your first teaching assignment, how to orient yourself to the college, getting the course off to a successful start, building and de-bugging exams, and how to build a long-term part-time teaching career, plus many others important to beginning instructors. Having been an adjunct instructor, I employed its strategies to obtain a full-time postion, and still use the book as a constant resource. The book is extremely reader-friendly, avoiding the "educationese" language of other books on the market, and provides many practical, hands-on examples. This book is a must for any part-time instructor.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book provides a detailed outline for teaching., October 19, 1999

By 

Pamela A. Schlichting ([e-mail]) (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom (Paperback)

The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success provides a personal guideline and outline for teaching. I have been teaching for one year now and I have been able to utlize many strategies for creating a successful framework in the classroom. Dr. Lyons provides samples and examples which include a model syllabus, various orientation checklists, and exercises that compliment your teaching style. The book travels with me and is a part of my permanent library of resources for teaching. It is a must read and will add to your success in the classroom.

31 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for Directions, January 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom (Paperback)

I'm about to have my first formal teaching experience at a local community college and was delighted to find a textbook written especially for part-time teachers. As a health care professional, I've had many opportunities to teach clients but this forum is brand new for me. "The Adjunct Professor's Guide to Success: Surviving and Thriving in the College Classroom" provides clear, practical information written in a way that holds my interest throughout the book. Each chapter flows seamlessly into the next and provides specific methods ensuring the logical progression of thought. I don't have to re-invent the wheel.

The chapters also provide a variety of ways to make certain that the information is understood: Tips for Thriving, Focus Questions, Through the Adjuncts' Eyes and Review of Key Points reinforce specific ideas and concepts. This is an easy book to read. There is a clarity and conciseness which I found very appealing. It reads like a novel to me in that I am eager to read what is next! It truly is a step-by-step guide to a positive teaching experience.

I recommend this book to any and all who have a desire to share their expertise in a classroom setting. Just as "When the student is ready, the teacher appears, so too, when the teacher is ready the book appears." This is a book that ranks high on my list of favorites.