On the Benefits of Teaching Honors (Curriculum and Instruction‪)‬

Honors colleges and programs vary widely by institution, naturally, but the main feature they share is involvement by top students of superior ability and motivation. Typically honors courses also involve top teachers--those who are most skilled, conscientious, and passionate about teaching. This applies whether honors teachers are self-selected, nominated by peers, or chosen by an honors director or coordinator. Without a doubt the most satisfying experiences of my career have come through my work as a college honors instructor, leading classes of extraordinarily enthusiastic and gifted students. Without a doubt the most frustrating experiences have come through my work as an honors program director, cajoling my colleagues to consider teaching an honors course. Both situations--teaching varied honors courses to freshmen and upperclassmen, as well as recruiting honors faculty--have helped me to answer the ubiquitous question raised by my colleagues: "Why should I teach honors? What's in it for me?"