Adjunct faculty make up a huge portion of college instructors, yet many are handed a course assignment right before the semester starts and told, essentially, “Good luck!” This guide steps in where onboarding often doesn't, offering quick, practical help for those moments when instructors feel only a step ahead of their students and running on caffeine and determination.

This book includes candid, funny, and heartfelt snapshots from adjuncts across the United States. Their experiences pull back the curtain on the realities of teaching off the tenure track while sharing the clever strategies, shortcuts, and mindset shifts that helped them thrive. Throughout the book, readers gain access to ready-to-use tools, flexible teaching approaches, and resources designed to save time and reduce stress.

Organized for quick navigation, the book allows instructors to jump straight to the guidance they need; whether preparing a syllabus, managing their workload, or connecting with students. Designed by adjuncts for adjuncts, this guide empowers instructors to thrive in the classroom and build a strong foundation for their teaching future.

Jennifer McKanry, PhD, is an experienced higher education administrator with 20+ years of experience providing support to full-time and adjunct faculty. She works as a Director in the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and focuses on orientation and support for adjunct faculty. In addition to her administrative role, she teaches as an adjunct herself in Information Literacy, Technical Writing, and First-Year Experience courses.

Sarah Coppersmith, PhD, serves as a team member with the University of Missouri-St. Louis Geospatial Design Lab. She serves as a doctoral dissertation research chair, and a Fellow in the UMSL Inquiry Circle Program on global competency.

Jenna Corbin, MS, RD, CISSN, PES/CES, is a Registered Sports Dietitian and Certified International Society of Sports Nutritionist. Corbin has worked with many individuals and athletes from grade-school age to professional. She currently spends most of her professional time teaching as an adjunct faculty member.

Linda Gaither, PhD, brings to her teacher education preparation classroom years of experience teaching science in elementary and high school. She now fulfills her passion for teaching by preparing future teachers at the University of Missouri-St. Louis to teach in the science classroom.

CJ Jones, LCSW, serves as an adjunct instructor in the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where they began teaching as a graduate student.

Jamie Martin, EdD, serves as an Educational Research Fellow at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is an adjunct instructor in the College of Education and brings a wealth of experience as a K-12 teacher mentor.

Lynetta McAllum, MBA, is pursuing her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Teaching at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and serves as a Success Coach in the Office of the Registrar.