ASTD Newsletter
Monthly Columns for July, 2001
Musings of a Novice Trainer
By, Shoshana Gray
Today, you know you have to look your best, dress as
professionally as possible, be on your best behavior, because all eyes are
on you, watching your every move, listening to what you say and even what
you don’t say, watching you as the example of what is acceptable and
looking to you for guidance and instruction.
You need to be there early, ensure that the room is set up, the
coffee is on, the food has arrived (or you have picked it up), the
temperature is comfortable, the books are passed out, you have all your
supplies, sign-in sheets, pencils, notepaper, your notes, the equipment is
functioning properly.
People arrive early and ask you questions, tell you of special
circumstances (need to leave early or arrive late, what to do about this
and that detail). Then, as if it happens in a moment, the room is suddenly
full of strangers or acquaintances, 25 pairs of eyes on you (you are
keenly aware of the fact that that’s 50 eyeballs), awaiting you to spout
wisdom or better yet, feed it intravenously into each student!
All this, before you even speak a word or begin your class! Now,
the real test: can you communicate with this group of students effectively
enough to make a difference in their lives, in their work, in their
perspectives? Can you keep the focus on them while successfully navigating
through the myriad of material you have to cover, praying the entire time,
like a mantra, that the equipment will continue functioning properly
throughout the day? You can feel, as if it’s a fragrance in the air, that
expectations are high! Words begin to flow, smiles are exchanged, so far,
so good.
I’d like to continue the account with a fairy-tale-like ending.
All goes well, no challenges or crushing blows to the ego, but we all know
that’s not realistic. This column will continue to explore the challenges
of the novice trainer. In order to do this, I would like to hear from
trainers (novice or not) about challenges you have encountered and about
which you would like feedback or suggestions. Additionally, I would like
to develop a resource pool of wisdom, made up of trainers who have been
doing this incredibly challenging job for years. You have so much to offer
us novices! I would like to be the channel through which the wisdom flows
to soothe the wound of ignorance. Please email me at sgray@sateacherscu.org.
Let me know what you think of this column idea and share your experiences!
Here are some questions we may explore in future columns.
What are all the critical points in the course of the day?
Does the interest die down if the training continues as
instructor as expert spouting wisdom”?
What are the positive consequences and challenges involved in
voicing the understanding that we all have something to share, some degree
of relevant experience?
When you have particularly dry or highly technical material, how
do you keep it interesting?
What happens to students after lunch; how can one encourage
students to regain focus on a full stomach?
