I teach part-time in two departments (Communication and Human Relations). I have to admit my initial reluctance to teach online courses. When I was first approached, I was very skeptical. My perception of “online” classes was simply this: boring, a lot of work, impersonal, etc.

I am very much a people-person. I didn’t think I would enjoy teaching online at all. I couldn’t imagine interacting with my students by computer. However, I was willing to try it—this one time.

That was about five years ago. Today I have a very different perspective on online teaching. I absolutely love it. I teach one class in the classroom each semester and two or three other classes online. I have found that being a people-person helps with online learning. I use my people skills to relate to my students, to keep in close contact and for them to sense my caring personality through the typed messages. I am a communication major and I value effective communication. I write emails to my students like they are sitting right in front of me. I try to be very personable in my online communication.

Teaching online is no more demanding than teaching in person. In fact, it’s less demanding for me because of my life situation. I am married and have three children (Michael, 9; Megan, 7; Matthew 2). I am a part-time instructor and a full time mom. Teaching online allows me the opportunity to do my work whenever it’s convenient. I don’t have to be somewhere at 9:00 a.m. I can work at midnight if I want to. Since I am a night-owl, the freedom of schedule is great for me!

Better yet , I can also work from anywhere that has internet access. Every year we take our family to Mexico for a month. While I am in Mexico on the beach, soaking up some rays, I am also teaching an online course. What other job allows you that much freedom?