----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- not so hot for teacher So, yes, the glow* of my first semester of teaching is decidedly gone This semester, instead of teaching English 302, Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking to a bunch of over-achieving high school juniors and seniors, I am teaching English 300, Composition, to a group of adults whose motivations range from "I like to write, help me write better" and "I have to take this class" to "Do you mind speaking more softly so that it's easier for me to sleep during your lecture." I started the class off with 25 registered attendees and quickly added nearly 15 more - as many people I could fit per seat. Now, three weeks in, we are down to 29. Actual attendance, however, hovers more closely to the 20-25 mark. The girl who called me up practically crying because she needed this class on a life-or-death basis has now missed three classes in a row. Is it something I've said? Something I've done? Not said? Not doing? It's been so bad at points that I actually went back and checked the course description the college e-mailed me to make sure that, you know, I had made preparations for the right class. Frankly I am almost at the point of not caring. I know that sounds horrible but consider the evidence in the case of Shivers v. Students
Sigh. I know I vent, I know I may even sound like the mean old bitch I fear that I've become. There are some good apples in the bunch - quite a few actually. There are students who raise their hands every class period, who make an effort to participate and think and explore ideas. I love these students with a passion - it's OK if their writing is still weak, that's why they are here. I can tell they care and therefore I care. Those who don't care or who, at the very least, act as if they don't, are going to be the death of me yet. *If by "glow" you mean panic attacks, endless and endless lecture cramming, sleepless nights and other odd bits of fun 1:46 pm - 09.02.09
sounds: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- previously on ... - next time on ...
money can't buy happiness but it does buy small pieces of of serenity - 15.07.12 - 4:29 pm sh)t's about to get real, y'all - 31.05.12 - 9:46 am why the hell not? - 29.04.12 - 8:38 pm Hear that lonesome whistle blow... - 02.04.12 - 5:18 pm a faith in something I can't see - 30.03.12 - 3:33 pm |
||||||