Becoming a New Instructor - Practical Guide for First-Time Teachers

In this review of Becoming a New Instructor, the bottom line is simple: this short guide is aimed squarely at instructors preparing to teach their first college course and delivers a clear, practical roadmap for planning and running classes. Erika Falk writes in a mentor-like voice, and the book's biggest strength is its step-by-step approach to syllabus writing, grade calculation, and day-to-day class management; new instructors will find concrete, usable advice rather than abstract theory. If you want straightforward, actionable guidance for your first term, this book earns a close look.

Key Features

• Chronological structure: The book follows the teaching process from conceptualizing a course through assigning grades, which helps readers progress without skipping essential steps.
• Syllabus guidance: Provides a step-by-step method for writing a syllabus so instructors can create a clear course roadmap and set expectations early.
• Grade calculation explained: Includes a simple explanation of how to calculate grades so new instructors can adopt consistent, defensible grading practices.
• Classroom planning tips: Offers practical suggestions for planning in-class time to keep sessions focused and pedagogically sound.
• Practical classroom advice: Draws on the author's experience to offer pragmatic recommendations for running both in-person and online classes.

Who It's For

Becoming a New Instructor is best for adjuncts, graduate student instructors, and anyone teaching a college course for the first time who needs a compact, actionable handbook rather than an academic treatise. It is particularly useful for instructors who value concrete examples and a chronological checklist they can follow while preparing a syllabus and class schedule.

This book is less suited to experienced faculty looking for advanced pedagogy, classroom research, or in-depth theory of learning; for those readers, a more comprehensive textbook on instructional design would be a better fit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Concise, mentor-like guidance makes the process of planning your first course less intimidating.
• Clear, stepwise syllabus instructions save time and reduce uncertainty about course structure.
• Simple grade calculation guidance helps ensure fairness and consistency from the first term.
• Advice covers both in-person and online formats, increasing the book's practical relevance.

Cons

• The book is intentionally succinct, so readers wanting deep theoretical background or extensive examples may find it brief.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Becoming a New Instructor is a compact, practical handbook that delivers exactly what new college instructors need: clear steps for syllabus creation, straightforward grade calculations, and practical classroom tips. It represents good value for first-time teachers who want an approachable mentor-style guide to carry them through their first term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book cover online teaching?
Yes. The guidance explicitly addresses running both in-person and online classes.

Will this help with grading policies?
Yes. The book includes a simple explanation of how to calculate grades and recommendations for consistent grading.

Is this book suitable for experienced professors?
It is aimed at new instructors; experienced professors may find it too concise if they want deep pedagogical theory.