class 3 paper 2

I totally forgot how much I like teaching. I know that a large part of it is that I'm teaching an elective class, which means that everyone wants to be there. This enthusiasm (or at least, positive orientation) shows in their papers and in the class interaction, and it's really wonderful to be around.

There's also the power aspect - that with great power comes great responsibility - and it's nice to be held responsible for something that I believe I do well. My teaching pedagogy is something that, in addition to creating a classroom space that I hope helps them gain content knowledge and skills, reaffirms my sense of competence and self. I know that I'm coming from a good place, and that I can be trusted with the power that has been placed in me. I also know that, if it ever comes to it, I won't take any sh*t, should any of it actually materialize. But mostly, I'm happy to be in a position where I can help so many people, even if it's about something as circumscribed as mastering content for a single class. It's a real pleasure to see people light up when they figure something out.

However, while I'm busy playing with my new puppies, in the back of my head I know that the stinky old lonely dissertation dog in the corner is waiting patiently for me to return and give it a bath and some love of its own. woof.

posted by: schoolsmelt at 21:36 | link | comments (3) |
teaching, dissertation, the good parts of life

Tattoo Tourist

Here's part of what I did on my day-long vacation. There was also: good food in two restauraunts, a steam/sauna/hot tub session, a visit to a museum and to a cathedral, and some very pleasant walking and talking with and without the pups.

We're quite efficient, I'd say.

posted by: schoolsmelt at 16:51 | link | comments (1) |

One of the things that's weird about blogging is finding out that people already know about the things I've posted before I've told them face to face. On the one hand, this is quite flattering - I am, truly, flattered that people take the time to come over here and read about what's happening in my life.

But it can also be disconcerting, as when a friend says "Oh I hear that thingIwroteaboutbuthaven'tyetshared went really well. Good for you!" because then I am wondering who told, or that maybe we had a conversation that I've forgotten, or something else which is simultaneously gratifying and embarrassing, especially when the denoument is "No, I read about it on your blog." which is again, flattering, but also awkward. Oh yeah, I have a blog.

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, it's still National De-lurking week. Please take a moment to let me know you've stopped by, even if you think or know that I already know you're reading.

PS No class this week - we don't do weather here very well, I'm afraid. One student actually emailed me her paper (which was really interesting!), but the majority of the rest of them (save two) didn't communicate at all. I've decided to ditch one of the later films that I'm not that attached to, and move this week's curriculum to next, and give them a free pass on this week's assignment being late despite the uber-strict no late papers accepted policy.

posted by: schoolsmelt at 20:21 | link | comments (5) |
teaching, the good parts of life

One down, ten to go

So, I just taught my first class as the instructor of record, and I think that it went well, though I will see exactly how well next week. I did lose a few students during the break, but I'd rather lose them now so that they can find classes that will work for them before the term's too far gone.

I inherited the class from one of my committtee members, and I really like the way the class is structured so far. It's engineered to get all students talking and relating to each other, as well as to the material. I'm also doing my best to create a learning community rather than merely a competitive format, which I think is one of my strengths.

As far as my students go, those who've stayed seem to be an engaged bunch, and fairly diverse. I have one elder woman who's auditing, and a veteran on one end of the age scale, a handful of early undergrads, and the rest are Jr./Sr. students who were interested in the class for the material's sake (two of these are ESL exchange students).

My big concerns at this point are grading fairly/appropriately, and making sure that the lectures are both interesting and well-structured enough for the students. And making sure that I don't get so lost in course prep that I ignore the dissertation.

posted by: schoolsmelt at 21:55 | link | comments (1) |
teaching

2007 - what's new?

This is going to be a very good, very busy year.

This quarter, I'll be teaching and maintaining an assistantship, while also working on the dissertation. There are also two day trips I've planned for January, and a very interesting class I want to take that I know I won't be able to, that's really bumming me out. Add this to the fact that (in ugh news) I will actually be taking a slight financial hit to teach the class (e.g. I will be working more, but making less) than to have remained with my original assistantship, and I sometimes wonder about my decisionmaking and prioritizing abilities. In an effort to lock everything up at once, I also joined a gym.

I expect to be blogging more as there will be more to say (although less time to say it in) and as a way to help me keep track of things - more like what I did when I was studying for comps. As much as I'm trying to stay positive about all this (see paragraph 1) at the moment I'm not much convinced that in about three weeks I won't be posting "why god why" entries and wishing I could get out of one or more of my committments. Either way though, all the things I will be doing are the result of choices I've made, for good or ill. And I can do anything for 12 weeks.

posted by: schoolsmelt at 07:26 | link | comments |