Self-enrichment teachers provide instruction in a wide variety of subjects that students take for fun or self-improvement. Some teach a series of classes that provide students with useful life skills, such as cooking, personal finance, and time management. Others provide group instruction intended solely for recreation, such as photography, pottery, and painting. Many others provide one-on-one instruction in a variety of subjects, including dance, singing, or playing a musical instrument. Some teachers conduct courses on academic subjects, such as literature, foreign language, and history, in a non-academic setting. The classes self-enrichment teachers give seldom lead to a degree and attendance is voluntary, but dedicated, talented students sometimes go on to careers in the arts.
Self-enrichment teachers may have styles and methods of instruction that differ greatly. Most self-enrichment classes are relatively informal. Some classes, such as pottery or sewing, may be largely hands-on, with the instructor demonstrating methods or techniques for the class, observing students as they attempt to do it themselves, and pointing out mistakes to students and offering suggestions to improve techniques. Other classes, such as those involving financial planning or religion and spirituality, may center on lectures or might rely more heavily on group discussions. Self-enrichment teachers may also teach classes offered through religious institutions, such as marriage preparation or classes in religion for children.
Many of the classes that self-enrichment educators teach are shorter in duration than classes taken for academic credit; some finish in 1 or 2 days or several weeks. These brief classes tend to be introductory in nature and generally focus on only one topic—for example, a cooking class that teaches students how to make bread. Some self-enrichment classes introduce children and youth to activities, such as piano or drama, and may be designed to last anywhere from 1 week to several months.
Many self-enrichment teachers provide one-on-one lessons to students. The instructor may only work with the student for an hour or two a week, but tells the student what to practice in the interim until the next lesson. Many instructors work with the same students on a weekly basis for years and derive satisfaction from observing them mature and gain expertise. The most talented students may go on to paid careers as craft artists, painters, sculptors, dancers, singers, or musicians.
All self-enrichment teachers must prepare lessons beforehand and stay current in their fields. Many self-enrichment teachers are self employed and provide instruction as a business. As such, they must collect any fees or tuition and keep records of students whose accounts are prepaid or in arrears. Although not a requirement for most types of classes, teachers may use computers and other modern technologies in their instruction or to maintain business records.
Work environment. Few self-enrichment education teachers are full-time salaried workers. Most either work part time or are self-employed. Some have several part-time teaching assignments, but it is most common for teachers to have a full-time job in another occupation, often related to the subject that they teach, in addition to their part-time teaching job. Although jobs in this occupation are primarily part time and pay is low, most teachers enjoy their work because it gives them the opportunity to share a subject they enjoy with others.
Many classes for adults are held in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate students who have a job or family responsibilities. Similarly, self-enrichment classes for children are usually held after school, on weekends, or during school vacations.
Students in self-enrichment programs attend by choice so they tend to be highly motivated and eager to learn. Students also often bring their own unique experiences to class, which can make teaching them rewarding and satisfying. Self-enrichment teachers must have a great deal of patience, however, particularly when working with young children.
| 1. | Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests. |
| 2. | Conduct classes, workshops, and demonstrations, and provide individual instruction to teach topics and skills such as cooking, dancing, writing, physical fitness, photography, personal finance, and flying. |
| 3. | Monitor students' performance in order to make suggestions for improvement, and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives. |
| 4. | Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics. |
| 5. | Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. |
| 6. | Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students. |
| 7. | Instruct and monitor students in use and care of equipment and materials, in order to prevent injury and damage. |
| 8. | Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks. |
| 9. | Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities. |
| 10. | Enforce policies and rules governing students. |
| 11. | Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate. |
| 12. | Prepare instructional program objectives, outlines, and lesson plans. |
| 13. | Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy. |
| 14. | Participate in publicity planning and student recruitment. |
| 15. | Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, contests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities. |
| 16. | Attend professional meetings, conferences, and workshops in order to maintain and improve professional competence. |
| 17. | Meet with other instructors to discuss individual students and their progress. |
| 18. | Confer with other teachers and professionals to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and development. |
| 19. | Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required. |
| 20. | Prepare and administer written, oral, and performance tests, and issue grades in accordance with performance. |
| 21. | Schedule class times to ensure maximum attendance. |
| 22. | Assign and grade class work and homework. |
| 23. | Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help. |
| 24. | Review instructional content, methods, and student evaluations in order to assess strengths and weaknesses, and to develop recommendations for course revision, development, or elimination. |
| 25. | Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress, and to determine their priorities for their children. |
| 26. | Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development. |
| 27. | Use computers, audiovisual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations. |
| 28. | Observe and evaluate the performance of other instructors. |
| 29. | Select, order, and issue books, materials, and supplies for courses or projects. |
| 30. | Write instructional articles on designated subjects. |
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