On Monday and Wednesday mornings, Professor Larry Timko stands at the front of the classroom with his cup of hot coffee as he awaits the arrival of his students. Knowing that anything can happen that day, he prepares himself to observe the ideas and speeches his students have put together. The comfortable atmosphere, where students feel free to do or say anything, sets Timko’s classes apart.
“I’ve had flames in my classroom. I have had a duck brought in. I’ve seen it all,” says Timko.
Therefore, anything goes in Timko’s class. When it comes to a process speech, a step by step explanation on how to do a certain task, examples he provided of what he has seen were being shown how to milk a goat and how to make bananas foster. This makes it clear that his students are not shy to express their creativity.
His teaching career at Frederick Community College began in 2008. He currently teaches speech fundamentals and career communication courses. He says he did not expect such growth in this career.
“I didn’t go looking for the job,” says Timko.
Before being offered courses to teach, he performed as an assistant in the tutoring and writing center at FCC. Timko now teaches classes during the fall, spring, and summer semesters and teaches a dual enrollment course at Catoctin High School during the fall as well. Building relationships with each of his students gives him the ability to stay connected.
“I really enjoy teaching public speaking because I have done it so much,” says Timko. “I can give kids an insight on what it is like in the real world.”
He believes in the idea that the course should not be structured around theories or textbooks, but rather the building up of students’ courage.
“My whole goal is to make them comfortable with getting up and speaking in front of a group of people,” says Timko.
Timko says that oral presentations are going to be present in just about any career field. Therefore, having the ability to speak in public is very important.
“What some may not realize,” says Timko, “is that public speaking can be required in everyday things.”
Timko believes that by allowing students to pick their own topics for all speeches, he is helping them be successful and at ease. Topics can range to just about anything, except for the restriction of either politics or religion.
“Some professors require a certain topic, I don’t,” adds Timko. “Why give a speech that has nothing to do with you or a part of your life?”
Students are videotaped while giving each speech in the class. Timko feels that videos are very beneficial because they are a great way for students to reflect on their performance and correct any mistakes before the next given speech.
“I’ve had many students come to me and say they understand why I made the comments I did after watching their video,” says Timko.
After class, he will go home, read the newspaper, and grade more than forty speeches. He will also provide each student a typed-up note with feedback after their speech is given.
“I believe I owe my students a very detailed report of their speeches,” says Timko.
Timko says he is teaching because he wants to, not because he has to. He believes his students will really learn and take something valuable away from the course.
“I really enjoy doing this, I think I have something great to offer for my students,” says Timko.
