When the Wabash Center launched their blog series “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda: Reflections on the FIrst Years of Teaching,” my aim was to read and response to as many posts as possible. I failed. Life has been busy. It dawned on me that I had forgotten about this series of posts, so I went back to read what I missed.

Kate Blanchard, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Alma College, wrote a post titled “Be Nice!,” which is a comforting title. She confesses that early in her career she accepted the slogan “start out mean and get nicer,” but this didn’t work well for her. Eventually, she decided to be herself instead: to be authentic.

Rob Muthiah, Professor of Practical Theology, Azusa Pacific Graduate School of Theology, wrote a post titled “Rookie in the Room.” He discusses being a rookie professor in faculty meetings. He was timid and cautious in these meetings. He wished that he wouldn’t have been so timid and cautious.

Debra J. Mumford, Frank H. Caldwell Associate Professor of Homiletics and Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, wrote a post titled “Using Time.” She opens the eyes of prospective educators noting that, “…teaching, researching, and writing are only a fraction of what a professor is called to do.” There is far more demands on one’s time than may be first apparent. How does a new teacher “use time” wisely?

Finally, Antonios Finitsis, Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible, Pacific Lutheran University, wrote a post titled, “‘You are Fired:’ Keeping Group Work Real in the Classroom.” He writes about group projects and how they work in the classroom. I admit, I hate group projects, so I remain a skeptic!