What Part-Time Educators Need to Know, But Won’t Hear Anywhere Else

Time to read: 4 minutes

In academia, whispers and tales often circulate, shaping how educators perceive their roles and the strategies they employ in their classrooms. From the mysterious efficacy of specific teaching methods to the supposed shortcuts that promise academic success, rumors, myths, and urban legends abound in the realm of teaching part-time college classes. Though often unsubstantiated, these narratives can wield significant influence, subtly guiding the decisions and beliefs about our career choices. 

From the legendary 'Easy A' course to the mysterious power of purple pens in grading (?), these myths are more than just tall tales—they're a peek into the quirky world of part-time teaching, reminding us of the importance of critically evaluating the information we encounter. Let’s look at some of the most egregious rumors, myths and legends to better understand the realities.

Rumor #1: Part-time teachers aren't as qualified as full-time faculty.

Reality

Truth be told, many part-time professors hold advanced degrees and have extensive professional experience in their field.

Rumor #2: Teaching part-time is an easy way to make extra money.

Reality

Let’s be honest. Part-time teaching requires significant preparation, grading, and student interaction, making it demanding. Part-time college teachers teach for the love of the game—it's less about the paycheck and more about the payoff of sharing what they know and seeing students succeed.

Rumor #3: Part-time teaching schedules are always flexible.

Reality

Ha! Balancing teaching with other professional or personal commitments can be very challenging.

Rumor #4: They only teach because they couldn't do.

Reality

This couldn't be further from the truth. Part-timers are often industry professionals who bring their rich, real-world experience into the classroom. Students often appreciate part-time faculty, especially those who bring current industry experience and knowledge to the classroom.

Myth #1: Part-time professors mainly teach introductory courses.

Reality

Truth: Part-time faculty may teach various courses, including advanced and specialized courses, depending on their expertise and departmental needs.

Myth #2: Part-timers are less committed than full-timers.

Reality

On the contrary, they often juggle multiple roles and bring a commitment to each that would rival any Olympian. Their dedication to teaching and managing other professional endeavors makes them masters of time management and commitment.

Myth #3: Part-time teachers aren't as knowledgeable.

Reality

This is a big misunderstanding. Part-time teachers often bring specialized knowledge and expertise that complement the broader curriculum. Their expertise is why they were hired.

Urban Legend #1: It’s easy to transition from part-time to full-time teaching positions.

Reality

Actually, full-time positions can be highly competitive and scarce, making the transition difficult for many adjuncts. Not to mention, opportunities for tenure, promotion, and participation in some academic disciplines may be limited or non-existent for part-timers.

Urban Legend #2: You’ll get summers off just like your students.

Reality

Nope. While part-time teaching might offer some flexibility, professors often have to accommodate the department's scheduling needs, which can limit their options.

Urban Legend #3: You can't form a connection with part-time teachers.

Reality

Wrong. Many students find their part-time instructors more relatable and approachable, likely because they're navigating the professional world just like their students. These teachers can become mentors, guides, and even friends.

Urban Legend #4: Their impact ends when the semester does.

Reality

The reality is that the influence of part-time teachers often lasts a lifetime. They plant seeds of curiosity, ambition, and persistence that grow long after grades are submitted. They're not just educators but life influencers, setting their students on paths they might never have found on their own.

Wait, There’s More!

A course introductory video is a great way to introduce your course and yourself to your students. However, those videos can be hard to make –especially if you're camera-shy, or tend to wander off-topic.

Download our FREE Welcome Introduction Video Script to help you prepare for your recording and organize your thoughts so that you have a workable outline (not a word-for-word script), that can be customized for any class.