[Column] The First Class Defines a Teacher’s Fate―A Letter to Novice Educators in an Era of Waning Authority

By Wonsuh Song

On the very first day of a new term, as the teacher steps into the classroom, destiny is quietly cast. Expectation mingles with tension, and students’ eyes scan their instructor, weighing whether this person merits their followership. If the teacher wavers, control slips instantly into the hands of the learners, and every subsequent lesson struggles for legitimacy.

For educators whose stature, accent, or cultural background might seem unfamiliar, that opening impression matters even more. A foreign female teacher, for example, must broadcast confidence from the first stride past the threshold. When unwavering expertise fuses with genuine self-assurance, students instinctively lift their heads and pay attention.

Expertise, however, is broader than subject knowledge. It is the art of threading core concepts with surprising real-world cases and data points that strike the mind. When lessons live solidly in the teacher’s memory, there is no need for a script; eye contact becomes the conduit of connection, sweeping across the room in a deliberate Z pattern.

Yet expertise alone does not suffice. Charisma arises from vocal resonance, impeccable attire, and precise body language. Teachers today must cultivate themselves as personal brands. When laughter, quick quizzes, or miniature activities are woven into the flow, the classroom turns into a small theater: engagement fortifies authority.

Teaching surpasses information transfer; it is a platform that shapes lives. Guiding conduct, mediating conflicts, fostering values—these lie within the educator’s remit. Pride in this mission is the wellspring of charisma and the deep joy of the profession.

To those newly stepping onto the podium: pour everything into that first class. Establish authority through mastery and confidence; seize hearts with relevance and warmth. Carve out that path once, and even in times that erode teacher authority, your classroom will remain a sanctuary where learning and respect coexist.

송원서 (Ph.D.)

슈메이대학교 전임강사 / NKNGO Forum 대표