1. Overview of Teaching at Penn State
James Sellers

2. First Things First
Welcome!
Who is this guy?

3. James Sellers PhD, 1992, Penn State University
1992 – 2001: Mathematics Professor, Cedarville University (Ohio)
2001 – Present: Professor and Director of Undergraduate Mathematics, Penn State University

4. James Sellers
Research: number theory (related to partitions), combinatorics
Teaching (at Cedarville): precalculus, calculus, differential equations, combinatorics, elementary number theory, “math for liberal arts majors”

5. James Sellers
Teaching (at Penn State): first year seminar, “math for liberal arts majors,” first year calculus, elementary combinatorics, elementary number theory, abstract algebra for secondary education majors
Extracurricular: racquetball, basketball, church activities, time with my wife and kids

8. Your Roles at Penn State
Student
This is familiar territory
Researcher
Member of a team
You are a colleague in the department, especially in your role as teacher

9. Your Roles at Penn State
Teacher
An integral part of the department!
Our department services the entire university (engineering, business, liberal arts, etc.)
We offer the second most credit hours on campus (behind the English Department).
Teaching mathematics is an extremely important endeavor; it should be viewed as a primary task while you are here.

10. Your Roles at Penn State
Teacher
There will be many tasks to juggle as you teach in our department
Much of this semester’s training will focus on this
We value teaching (awards, recognition, etc.)
We provide a great deal of support (Mentoring Program, GTA Oversight Committee)

11. Your Roles at Penn State
Classroom Manager
Next semester, you will probably be in charge of a classroom full of students. For many of you, this will be a first!
In a number of our sessions this semester, we will strive to get you ready for this.

12. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
Know your audience and know the goals of your course
Aim the content correctly
Always go to your class prepared (to teach, to return graded materials, etc.)
This takes time outside of class
Again, we will give you lots of advice this semester
These are in no particular order; just some “random” insights I have collected during my time as Director of UG Studies in Mathematics.

13. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
Always conduct yourself in a professional manner in class
Never go to class looking or acting like you just got out of bed
“TA came to class in pajamas”
Remember that students call parents and parents will get involved. (“I pay lots …”)

14. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
Never demean your students or colleagues
“No such thing as a bad question”
We will talk more about this later this semester
Always contact your coordinator or me if you have any questions about your class!

15. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
Always give students the opportunity to see their quizzes, midterms, and final exam after grading
Remove as much uncertainty as possible
Try to give students as much detailed information throughout a course as you can
Exception? Don’t give too much information about specific exam problems during review

16. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
Never ignore student requests for meetings or clarification on grades
Return s or phone calls!
If you don’t know the answer, direct them to your course coordinator; just don’t ignore them

17. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
Always strive to find a substitute for a class rather than canceling class (again, student focus on tuition lost, etc.)
Again, you are a member of a team, and many in the department are willing to help

18. A “Top 10” List For Your Consideration
And my all-time favorite: Never say “Wow, that was a hard exam” or “Wow, am I glad I did not have to take that exam” to your own class!
This really happened
This really got the parents calling me

19. Overview of Teaching at Penn State
James Sellers