She was lying on the floor, gasping for air.
Amidst the rush hour traffic of New York City, a young computer instructor lay gasping for air on the floor of the Computer Learning Center in Paramus, New Jersey. The building, with its big, bright sign promising education and advancement, became a scene of concern as all eyes focused on Nancy Baker.
It was 5:30 PM, and the streets outside were jam-packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic. Inside, the faculty room had no windows, and even if they could be opened, the outside air would have worsened Nancy’s condition. This was my first day as an employee, hoping to observe a class before teaching it myself. Nancy had promised I could sit in on one of her sessions to ensure a smooth transition.
Now, she was on the floor, unable or unwilling to move, just half an hour before class. The other teachers seemed unfazed; this was not their first time witnessing such an incident. Nancy, a twenty-four-year-old instructor, was my only hope for transitioning from primary school teaching to educating adults.
"Just give her a couple of minutes, and she'll be fine," Garry said, his long, thin frame hunched over Nancy's body, watching her alleged panic attack. "I'm fine; I just need to be here for a while," Nancy said, her voice emotionless and her face calm. Her breathing normalized, and she handed me a blue marker without turning on her side. "Go teach," she instructed, remaining on the floor.
In disbelief, I asked, "Where is the classroom?" Nancy assured me Garry would show me. With no time to think, I had to dive into teaching. Despite the unusual circumstances, I felt prepared, having studied the course material for two weeks.
After my first lecture on Excel, several students praised me, and Diego, a twenty-year-old programming student, remarked, "Much better than the other teacher." I felt a sense of accomplishment and was ready for future challenges. My late-night practice sessions paid off, enhancing my teaching skills.
Since 1996, I've trained over five thousand adults across the USA and Canada, contributing significantly to local economies. My students, from diverse backgrounds, have become successful professionals in various fields.
Join me on my adventures as I share experiences, trials, tribulations, and tips for successful teaching. Look forward to my "Tip for Teachers" blog series and discover why I'd say I'd be a pumpkin if asked the cliché interview question about being a vegetable. I invite you to visit my website and YouTube channel to continue exploring the world of education. Welcome to Officeshortcuts.com