There are a number of books focused on the craft of college-level teaching. However, the vast majority of those books are tailored to tenure-track faculty. A number of specialty books also have been published, including texts on balancing teaching and research, techniques for teaching certain types of students (e.g., first-generation), and techniques for teaching for certain types of instructors (e.g., African-American women). Online resources are available, but locating material can be time-consuming.

The target audience for The Essentials of College Teaching: A Guide for New and Adjunct College Instructors are adjunct (non tenure-track) instructors. Adjuncts now constitute 76.4 % of U.S. faculty across all institutional types, with a staggering 80% at two-year institutions. Although teaching a heavy load, adjuncts are not typically included in on-campus professional development opportunities to improve their teaching skills. This book would be particularly helpful for first time or relatively novice college-level instructors, including doctoral graduate students teaching their first sections, new community college instructors, and new four-year college and university instructors.

It's designed to get novice instructors through their first term, nerves intact and students satisfied. Recommendations are based on empirically supported best practices for teaching, while aiming for a concise, slightly irreverent, occasionally humorous style of writing.