Know Your Profs is an ongoing series of profiles on the instructors at Camosun College. Every issue we ask a different instructor at Camosun the same 10 questions in an attempt to get to know them a little better.
Do you have an 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 of teachers to talk to.
This issue we talked to Psychology instructor Anneke van Alderwegen about dealing with imposter syndrome, getting awarded, and appreciating Netflix.
1. What do you teach and how long have you been at Camosun?
I mainly teach Psychology 154: Interpersonal Skills and Psychology 160: Sport and Exercise Psychology. I’ve been at Camosun since 2008 as a part-time sessional instructor. I became full time continuing in September 2015.
2. What do you personally get out of teaching?
I love when students connect to ideas and concepts that we are discussing and share their own stories that relate to the topics in class. It makes it a richer experience for everyone. I also love when students tell me that as a result of taking a course with me (particularly Psychology 154) they have improved their communication with at least one other important person in their life. It means I am making a difference.
3. What’s one thing you wish your students knew about you?
That I really care, but I think they do know this once they get to know me. That I understand they have so many things going in their lives and that the class they are taking with me is just one small part of their lives (although I always hope that it has a big impact!).
4. What is one thing you wish they didn’t know about you?
That I suffer to some degree with imposter syndrome; that I am always anxious, especially at the beginning of a new term.
5. What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
Well, I feel very humbled to have received recognition last year, as I received the Excellence in Teaching award in Arts and Science. I am humbled because so many of my colleagues are equally deserving. It was as a result of students nominating me, so that’s pretty special. But in reality, it’s the smaller occurrences, when a student shares with me an insight, a personal story, a challenge they have, and that they trust in me enough to share it.
6. What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you as a teacher here?
Oh, well, hmm… I’ve been lucky, but I guess it’s just when technology lets you down—slide projector doesn’t work, internet is down, volume doesn’t work. It really throws you off! (Fortunately, the IT folks on both campuses are awesome and come to the rescue very quickly!)
7. What do you see in the future of post-secondary education?
Certainly, more options for learning in a variety of different ways and times: online, evening and weekend courses, satellite locations. I mean, it’s already happening, but just more of that. I still think there is something special about getting together in a class in real time and having a good discussion; I hope that does not change.
8. What do you do to relax on the weekends?
I love spending any time I can with my three sons, either all three or individually. Hanging out with close friends, walking our golden retriever Scout and, okay… Netflix!
9. What’s your favourite meal?
The first thought I had is chocolate… But that’s not a meal… Or is it? A better answer is any meal I get to enjoy with people I love.
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Well, I think it’s when we judge people too harshly and too quickly rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt, because we don’t know what’s going on in their lives, just as they don’t know what’s happening in ours. Just getting everyone to cut people some slack!
Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled Anneke van Alderwegen as Anneke van Alderwegan. We apologize for the mistake.