Know Your Profs is an ongoing series to help you get to know the instructors at Camosun College. Every issue we ask a different instructor at Camosun the same 10 questions.
Do you have a favourite instructor that you want to see interviewed in the paper? Maybe you want to know more about one of your teachers, but you’re too busy, or shy, to ask? Email editor@nexusnewspaper.com and we’ll add your instructor to our list.
This issue we talked to Camosun College accounting instructor Erin Booth about falling into a career choice, the joys and sorrows of different kinds of student feedback, and the secret to being a good accountant.
1: What do you teach and how long have you been a teacher at Camosun?
I got my first big break teaching with Camosun last year when I was offered the Introduction to Managerial Accounting course. I must have done something right, as I have since taught the introductory level financial accounting courses and am currently teaching introductory tax.
2: What do you personally get out of teaching?
I get to learn! There is an incredibly sharp learning curve when it comes to instructing, and with every class I teach I take away a new insight into how I can be a better teacher, how I can convey concepts better, or simply how I can keep the class from falling asleep.
3: What’s one thing you wish your students knew about you?
There are two things. One, I never wanted to be an accountant. All of my close friends thought I was going to be an astronaut. I realized in my early 20s that I’m interested in many fields of study, from sciences to the arts, but I didn’t have the financial means to be a professional student. As a result, I strategically switched into Camosun’s accounting program so that I could be employable and establish some financial security for myself. Two, I am a lot older than many people think. And, yes, I am old enough to have earned my designation. And, no, I did not graduate high school when I was 14.
4: What’s one thing you wish they didn’t know about you?
I never wanted to be an accountant. In reality, choosing to do my accounting degree at Camosun was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I look forward to all the self-interest courses I will be taking.
5: What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
Getting super-positive, unsolicited feedback from students, whether it’s a nice message at the bottom of a final exam, or emails. It’s just always wonderful to hear that students have enjoyed my class. I keep all notes, emails, and cards.
6: What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
Getting super-negative, anonymous feedback from students. The negative nature of the comment doesn’t bother me because I am new to teaching and have so much to learn, but it’s the fact that I won’t ever get to ask the student how I could have helped more, or how I could improve, that sticks with me.
7: What do you see in the future of postsecondary education?
I believe postsecondary education will be free… Which is great, but then I wouldn’t have to be an accountant to fund all my self-interest studies.
8: What do you do to relax on the weekends?
Anything outside, unplugged and with my Vizsla, Barley, who also looks incredibly young for his age!
9: What’s your favourite meal?
This is going to sound odd, but I don’t eat meals. I never have enough time to put thought into actually creating a “meal.” As a result, I live on random pieces of food: bananas, tuna from a can, microwaved oatmeal and water in a bowl…
10: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Students that apologize to me for their grades. It makes me feel awful, as I don’t want anyone to feel responsible to me for their learning and progress in my classes. I’ve been a student; I know what it’s like to have many competing priorities, and what it’s like to neglect a class and then cram it all in during the last week, promising yourself you’ll always stay up to date with your homework. I’m just happy that students have chosen me to lead them through their class. Good accountants are not necessarily those who achieved straight As; good accountants are those who have passion and interest for the subject.