I’m back, I’m gone. I’m back. So. Hi.
You would think I would find more time to blog since I am all but attached to my laptop many hours every day. Teaching two classes in two subjects in two forums is proving to be a (mostly) fun challenge. Two classes is not much of a course load, but still it takes up a good bit of my time. The online class, of course, was already fairly well organized before it started since I taught it last semester. The face-to-face (in-person? real? I don’t know what to call it. Traditional, I suppose) class requires much more work since I haven’t taught it before. It’s fun work, don’t get me wrong, but it is still work. A lot of work. I’m trying to decide if I will continue this teaching stuff next semester-- meaning fall, as I think I will take the summer off-- or pursue something else. We shall see.
So, that’s the teaching. Then there is the learning. I opted for the fun class rather than the working-toward-my-women’s studies-certificate class. The fun class is work, too. It is… gulp… a screenwriting class. Yes, because I don’t do quite enough writing, I have committed to taking a graduate level class in screenwriting. I will be writing a feature-length movie script between now and the end of April. Oh my. When I’m not thinking about mythology or grading English essays, I am contemplating scenes for a film. It is the one area of professional writing I haven’t yet attempted (there are others-- poetry, technical writing-- but I’m only referring to those that interest me) and taking a class seemed the best way to motivate me. Here we go…
So, I am teaching and learning in 2008. I like it.
Dear Student X:
All it takes to get an A or B in my class is to do the work. Oh, yes, and turn it in.
Do not make me hunt you down to get your last essay. Despite my compassionate demeanor and swift response to your e-mails, I really do have a life.
Do not make me e-mail you three times because you do not check your school e-mail address.
Do not make me wonder whether you’ve decided that, despite your 90 average, you’d rather get a D in the class (because that is the most you can hope for when you get a zero on 20% of your grade) than submit your last essay-- which I know you’ve written because you posted your rough draft.
Do not tell me you are busy with other classes. I am busy, too. But look at me, e-mailing you to find out why you haven’t submitted your essay.
Do not complain about your internet connection, the school website or any other technical issue. You have known for four weeks when this essay was due-- you could have submitted it at any point.
Do not send me snippy e-mails. It will not make me think fondly of you when I am grading your late essay.
Lastly, please forward this e-mail to the three other students in the class who have not submitted their last essay. I am tired and do not feel like typing their e-mail addresses.
Thank you.
Lowly Paid, Highly Dedicated Adjunct
I received a note from a student tonight:
Do you teach any other classes??
Wow.
I’m a teacher.
Maybe I’m even a good teacher.
I saw this listed today and it made me happy (I just had the news confirmed yesterday):
HUM 256
Mythology in Literature and The Arts
Instructor: Wright,Kristina L
1/7/2008-5/5/2008
Days: F Time: 6:00:00 PM - 8:40:00 PM
I know I’m a total geek, but I really wanted to teach this class. (I will also be teaching two or three sections of College Composition again, as well.) Those who remember my months of Lilith research won’t be surprised that I’m interested in mythology. I’m sure I will panic at some point in the next few weeks as I try to figure out how to make a Friday evening class educational and entertaining, but for now it just makes me smile to see my name under the class listing. (Oh, and holding class in a bar is not an option, by the way.)
Recommendations for books, articles or other resources on the topic are greatly appreciated.
Can I submit all of my assignments now (three days before grades are due) since I forgot to turn them in when they were due?
I didn’t submit my last three essays because I have writer’s block. Will you give me an Incomplete?
Will you look at my essay and make sure I did everything correctly before you grade it?
I know the syllabus said I have to submit my essay by today or I won’t receive credit. Can I submit it tomorrow?
Can you meet with me Wednesday (the day before grades are due) and show me how to fix my essay so I can get a better grade?
Will you let me do extra credit (even though the class policy states: No Extra Credit)?
Will you let me do extra credit even though I have a 45 in the class and no chance of passing?
Will you let me do extra credit even though I have a 95 in the class and really don’t need it?
Will you grade my essay NOW even though you have 40 other essays to grade?
Life. Love. Writing. Friendship.
Sex. Books. Movies. Travel. Politics. Feminism. Academia. Insomnia. Rants. Raves. Chocolate. Lots of chocolate. Some names have been changed, some stories have been embellished. Thanks for stopping by and beware of the dog. Read more...
