Recently finished backtracking through a new blog (Hunting for Mr. Right). I love finding new blog-heroes*. She sometimes writes the blogs I am thinking in my own head. But my favorite of all her recent posts goes back a bit to a post making comparisons between life and swimming.
As an avid swimmer, I loved the idea. To sum up (but really, check out the whole blog or at least the post for all her funny details), life is like swimming because: 1) It's not as easy as it looks. 2) No matter what you wear, you're bound to look like an idiot. 3) If you don't pay attention, you're likely to run into the wall. 4) Sometimes, all you can do is focus on breathing.....[there are more, but those are the best, in my opinion]
Some of her commenters also noted: life is like treading water (all that movement, but not going anywhere--Brilliant!) and lots of time in either makes you wrinkly. I was a swimmer for years and its still my favorite place to workout and often my favorite place to think.
When I get back in swimming shape (usually the second or third week of regular swimming), it makes me feel powerful and strong and sexy.
*A blog-hero is a person whose blog you admire because it is more [fill-in-word] than yours. Eloquent, Funny, Technologically adept, Clever, etc. Technically my use of a foot-note type thing is an example of taking something that you saw on someone else's blog and thought was awesome. In Hunting for Mr. Right, she frequently foot-notes. My favorite foot-note defined 'secret dating'
Showing posts with label Blog-heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blog-heroes. Show all posts
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
My letter to rateyourstudents...
As I have mentioned before, I love , love , love Rate your students. It has been my saving grace, my source of sanity and laughs, and a cathartic release of all my frustrations. But I have also disagreed (at times vehemently) with postings. Recently, I was so freaken mad that I almost wrote in. I have yet to write in to RYS. They verify people and I have a unsubstantiated fear that one of the gang that runs the compound will be here at TBU or know someone at TBU.
So here is the letter I was going to write in (a bit expanded for my blog's sake):
Recently, a young professor posted this --basically a request for help and advice. Were her ideas a bit Pollyanna at times (wanting students to view the course as more than just a course), a bit naive at times (expecting there might be a way to get all students to show on time, every time), and a bit misguided (wanting the students to think she is cool)? Yes. And I felt those things as soon as I read her post. At its heart, these aren't the worst things. A bit Pollyanna is better than cynical and bitter, right? Naive and optimistic must be better than pessimistic, right? And weren't we all misguided at the start? It was only from sage advice from those who came before us or getting through that first semester we taught that helped us realize that students didn't need to like us to learn or that them liking us might actually make things worse.
This post stirred up lots of feelings in others as well.
I wanted to share some of my reactions to the responses because it is the responses that made me almost write in (not the original post). I am going to include some snippets (or flava) of the reactions below:
Some gave helpful advice:
"* Some if not many of your students will feel your class is important. Others won’t. There’s not a hell of a lot you can do about it. Show you care about the material and they’ll come to their own conclusions. Some students are on this earth to recycle air. You won’t reach them. So what? Focus on the majority of them who really are worth a damn and ignore the ones who aren’t." [I love the phrase 'on earth to recycle air']
"*Every class is going to be "just another class" for most of the students in it. That doesn't mean you can't teach the shit out of it. No one ever, in the whole history of everything, ever seemed even "a little cool" by wanting to. You don't have to be cool to teach your students. You don't have to be cool for them to like you."
Or practical advice:
"*Make it a portion of the student's grade to submit, each class, a question or comment from the readings for class discussion. This will require that they do at least some of the reading. Some students still will not do it. Some will take the lower grade, and some will make up stupid questions 5 minutes before class. But, you will be able to tell who those students are and grade them accordingly."
Some addressed the misguided posts with harshness and humor:
"*There are so many things wrong with your point of view but let us start with the most obvious, the idea that you can get all of your students to show up on time, bring their books, and be prepared? You’ll be lucky if they even buy the books rookie! This imaginary fantasy student that you speak of is much like a cat that you train to use the toilet. Everyone has seen a clip of one on Youtube, or heard of a friend of a friend who had one. However every cat you ever have will just pee on your bed and crap in your plants."
But some were down right mean. I would have cried if I had posted the question and got the following responses, and I almost cried reading them even though they weren't directed at me. Here is the worst of the meanest:
"*Here's my response: Dumbass."
"*I absolutely know how to get ALL my students to come to my classes on time, every time. They love it so much they want to be there even AFTER class is over! But since I am most likely one of the lousy professors you had, focusing on minutiae (which, you dipshit, is necessary in my field), I am not going to fucking tell you the secret."
"*Just get your shit together, and teach. Given the desperate narcissism of your post, I can see why your students don’t come to class. I probably wouldn’t, either."
And one that was fairly condescending, but redeemed by offers of scotch:
"* It's so cute to see naiveté bud and blossom. When the students kick cynicism into your veins come on over to my house. I'll save some scotch for you."
There are more posts there, but my response was most strongly to the mean posts. If I could have written in to RYS, it would have sounded something like this:
How quickly you forget. We were all new at this game once. Some of us are new know, desperately tying to find our way, to do a better-than-good job, to get tenure or a job that we can stand, to feel good about our day, to find happiness in a job that we suffered through a decade of college to get. Why are those past this newbie stage so willing to cut the throats of the ghosts of their former selves? For me, RYS has to be a place where I get all the things my job doesn't provide me. I need this virtual water cooler to make me feel better about my day (love that smackdown), to laugh, and to find solace. When I see people with such vitriol, it breaks my heart and spirit. Don't ruin a good thing and consider giving a handout (instead of a bitchsmack) to those that follow in your footsteps.
So here is the letter I was going to write in (a bit expanded for my blog's sake):
Recently, a young professor posted this --basically a request for help and advice. Were her ideas a bit Pollyanna at times (wanting students to view the course as more than just a course), a bit naive at times (expecting there might be a way to get all students to show on time, every time), and a bit misguided (wanting the students to think she is cool)? Yes. And I felt those things as soon as I read her post. At its heart, these aren't the worst things. A bit Pollyanna is better than cynical and bitter, right? Naive and optimistic must be better than pessimistic, right? And weren't we all misguided at the start? It was only from sage advice from those who came before us or getting through that first semester we taught that helped us realize that students didn't need to like us to learn or that them liking us might actually make things worse.
This post stirred up lots of feelings in others as well.
I wanted to share some of my reactions to the responses because it is the responses that made me almost write in (not the original post). I am going to include some snippets (or flava) of the reactions below:
Some gave helpful advice:
"* Some if not many of your students will feel your class is important. Others won’t. There’s not a hell of a lot you can do about it. Show you care about the material and they’ll come to their own conclusions. Some students are on this earth to recycle air. You won’t reach them. So what? Focus on the majority of them who really are worth a damn and ignore the ones who aren’t." [I love the phrase 'on earth to recycle air']
"*Every class is going to be "just another class" for most of the students in it. That doesn't mean you can't teach the shit out of it. No one ever, in the whole history of everything, ever seemed even "a little cool" by wanting to. You don't have to be cool to teach your students. You don't have to be cool for them to like you."
Or practical advice:
"*Make it a portion of the student's grade to submit, each class, a question or comment from the readings for class discussion. This will require that they do at least some of the reading. Some students still will not do it. Some will take the lower grade, and some will make up stupid questions 5 minutes before class. But, you will be able to tell who those students are and grade them accordingly."
Some addressed the misguided posts with harshness and humor:
"*There are so many things wrong with your point of view but let us start with the most obvious, the idea that you can get all of your students to show up on time, bring their books, and be prepared? You’ll be lucky if they even buy the books rookie! This imaginary fantasy student that you speak of is much like a cat that you train to use the toilet. Everyone has seen a clip of one on Youtube, or heard of a friend of a friend who had one. However every cat you ever have will just pee on your bed and crap in your plants."
But some were down right mean. I would have cried if I had posted the question and got the following responses, and I almost cried reading them even though they weren't directed at me. Here is the worst of the meanest:
"*Here's my response: Dumbass."
"*I absolutely know how to get ALL my students to come to my classes on time, every time. They love it so much they want to be there even AFTER class is over! But since I am most likely one of the lousy professors you had, focusing on minutiae (which, you dipshit, is necessary in my field), I am not going to fucking tell you the secret."
"*Just get your shit together, and teach. Given the desperate narcissism of your post, I can see why your students don’t come to class. I probably wouldn’t, either."
And one that was fairly condescending, but redeemed by offers of scotch:
"* It's so cute to see naiveté bud and blossom. When the students kick cynicism into your veins come on over to my house. I'll save some scotch for you."
There are more posts there, but my response was most strongly to the mean posts. If I could have written in to RYS, it would have sounded something like this:
How quickly you forget. We were all new at this game once. Some of us are new know, desperately tying to find our way, to do a better-than-good job, to get tenure or a job that we can stand, to feel good about our day, to find happiness in a job that we suffered through a decade of college to get. Why are those past this newbie stage so willing to cut the throats of the ghosts of their former selves? For me, RYS has to be a place where I get all the things my job doesn't provide me. I need this virtual water cooler to make me feel better about my day (love that smackdown), to laugh, and to find solace. When I see people with such vitriol, it breaks my heart and spirit. Don't ruin a good thing and consider giving a handout (instead of a bitchsmack) to those that follow in your footsteps.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Foward and Fearless
So, earlier I posted about a great idea that I read about on ProfGirl's Blog. I batted around a few ideas about what my theme could be, but none really 'fit.' So I let my subconscious work on it for a while and it came to me! My theme for 2008 is:
Foward and Fearless
In a way, this theme encompasses many of the ideas that I had on the previous list. First, my avoidance of task completion is becuase I am afraid. When I go back and look at my possible themes 'afraid' or 'fear' are mentioned twice.
Professionally, I am afraid to send out manuscripts--afraid they will be rejected, afraid that I am not cut out for this job. I am afraid that I will not get a job offer this year and that I will be stuck for another year in a job that I hate in place I feel alone.
Personally, I am afraid that no one will want to date me if I venture out to the oneline dating world.
So, I am making a change. I will move foward with my life as best I can. I will try new things (online dating--I will post my ad within the next month is over--which is right around Valentines Day; Join local crafty club that I have been avoiding doing; Try out Young Professional Group in Arty KickAss Nearby City (AKNC)). I will submit a manuscript (if not more than one) this semester.
Hopefully, moving foward, fearlessly will be just what I need this year.
Foward and Fearless
In a way, this theme encompasses many of the ideas that I had on the previous list. First, my avoidance of task completion is becuase I am afraid. When I go back and look at my possible themes 'afraid' or 'fear' are mentioned twice.
Professionally, I am afraid to send out manuscripts--afraid they will be rejected, afraid that I am not cut out for this job. I am afraid that I will not get a job offer this year and that I will be stuck for another year in a job that I hate in place I feel alone.
Personally, I am afraid that no one will want to date me if I venture out to the oneline dating world.
So, I am making a change. I will move foward with my life as best I can. I will try new things (online dating--I will post my ad within the next month is over--which is right around Valentines Day; Join local crafty club that I have been avoiding doing; Try out Young Professional Group in Arty KickAss Nearby City (AKNC)). I will submit a manuscript (if not more than one) this semester.
Hopefully, moving foward, fearlessly will be just what I need this year.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Rateyourstudents, you are so my hero!
So, I don't give out my notes for a variety of reasons (both practical and pedagogical). Also, been debating about going pedagogically naked (without 'powerpoint'). [Before I go on a rant about how this is easy for me (see, I didn't spend a decade in college for nothing--I did it (among other reasons) so that I could talk intelligibly about this particular course of study without consulting a slide show), a recent poster to RYS, does it here, with a fierceness I can barely muster
Student reaction: Gasp, the horror!
My mockery to student reaction: How can students learn without an active powerpoint slide show behind them? How can they only write down less than 15 words every 5 minutes without something telling them what 15 words? How can I expect them to listen and actually think about what I am saying? Find the main idea and write it down in their own words?
I hate myself just thinking about this idea? Going back and forth on what to do? Maybe I'll go rogue and be powerpoint-less for a few weeks, maybe more. Who knows?
Student reaction: Gasp, the horror!
My mockery to student reaction: How can students learn without an active powerpoint slide show behind them? How can they only write down less than 15 words every 5 minutes without something telling them what 15 words? How can I expect them to listen and actually think about what I am saying? Find the main idea and write it down in their own words?
I hate myself just thinking about this idea? Going back and forth on what to do? Maybe I'll go rogue and be powerpoint-less for a few weeks, maybe more. Who knows?
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
ProfGirl's amazing idea
So, profGirl is one of the blogs that I read regularly...In a blog from a few days ago, she discuss her avoidance of making New Year's resolutions. Instead of resolutions that don't last (and they never do), she picks a theme. I fell in love with this idea instantly. As she describes it, the theme is "sort of like a mantra...a focal point for what I hope to achieve and how I want to live my life." [Side note: I hope it is okay to be quoting her here....go read her blog, she's awesome]. What an amazing idea, a guiding theme around which you focus your life--making decisions and engaging in behaviors that guide you to where you want to be and the person you want to become.
I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want, what I have, and the vast discrepancy between the two. Being on the job market (read: and fearful that my vitae is not going to get me the job I want), has opened my eyes to the professional changes I would like to make. The massive amount of free time I have here have opened my eyes to the personal changes I would like to make. I hope, hope, hope, hope, hope that this year marks a huge change for me--I would love to spend the Spring semester at TBU, the Fall semester at some new, more promising job.
So, inspired by her blog, I am going to come up with a theme. According to profgirl, "I don't choose themes on the spot, but rather tend to realize that I'm already working toward them. They represent whatever has become important to me, and the choice to more consciously follow that path."
So, potential themes for me for the year 2008.
1. ProfGirl's current theme is completion (inspired in part by completing old manuscripts). My life (and my pile of unfinished manuscripts) could benefit from completion. I have a pile of manuscripts (and a weak looking vitae)--this will become increasingly more crucial if I do not get a job this year. I have had considerable fear of sending out manuscripts and I strongly feel that if I don't send some out soon, I will never send them out, never get a better job, die miserably alone and sad. [I might be exaggerating, but I need to make some improvement here] Further, I have several 'around the house' tasks that need completion. Finally, similar to ProfGirl, I need my life to be more complete. I am not sure what she meant by this, but for me, I need a more fulfilled life. I am afraid that I cannot get a more full life in tiny town, but I need to try. Of course getting a new job would dramatically help here, but I have done all I can do--just a waiting game now.
2. Possible theme: health. For me, this would encompass both physical and mental health. For physical health, I would include eating better (more veggies, less junk, more tofu, less meat, etc.), working out more (I feel about 50 pounds overweight, I am winded when I shouldn't be, I need to be more active and heart-healthy), I would also like to be more flexible. I think being more physically healthy and active would make me happy. Mental health, this is a toughy-I am pretty miserable at TBU. I cry. A lot. More than I should. I am finding less enjoyment in things that I used to like. I pull away from friends and family. I am less productive at work. I don't sleep well. I overeat. I am discouraged about who I am and where I am going. I am concerned about what would happen to my mental health if I do not get a job offer. I guess I am feeling somewhat optimistic (I typed would happen not will happen) about one of my job applications panning out. The thought of another year here is unbearable. If I end up staying here, I think I will need to see a therapist-something I almost did last year, but avoided doing. So physical and mental health would be a good guiding theme.
3. Positivity. I guess this would be related to mental health, but this would be a bit distinct. I feel like I need to be more positive, less focused on the negative, more focused on the glass half full. I complain too much. I dwell. I should find more gratefulness in my life.
4. Unnamed. I have been avoiding doing things, letting dishes pile up in the sink, avoiding laundry. I think it is part a depression issue--it makes me feel blah and avoid work. I avoid school work and sending unpleasant emails. I have been too ostrichy and too lazy....can I call this potential theme No lazy ostrich behavior?
Well, I too am going to think about this...I feel like it will come down to option 1 and 2....oddly both hinge so much on whether I get a job and leave this place.....
I have been thinking a lot lately about what I want, what I have, and the vast discrepancy between the two. Being on the job market (read: and fearful that my vitae is not going to get me the job I want), has opened my eyes to the professional changes I would like to make. The massive amount of free time I have here have opened my eyes to the personal changes I would like to make. I hope, hope, hope, hope, hope that this year marks a huge change for me--I would love to spend the Spring semester at TBU, the Fall semester at some new, more promising job.
So, inspired by her blog, I am going to come up with a theme. According to profgirl, "I don't choose themes on the spot, but rather tend to realize that I'm already working toward them. They represent whatever has become important to me, and the choice to more consciously follow that path."
So, potential themes for me for the year 2008.
1. ProfGirl's current theme is completion (inspired in part by completing old manuscripts). My life (and my pile of unfinished manuscripts) could benefit from completion. I have a pile of manuscripts (and a weak looking vitae)--this will become increasingly more crucial if I do not get a job this year. I have had considerable fear of sending out manuscripts and I strongly feel that if I don't send some out soon, I will never send them out, never get a better job, die miserably alone and sad. [I might be exaggerating, but I need to make some improvement here] Further, I have several 'around the house' tasks that need completion. Finally, similar to ProfGirl, I need my life to be more complete. I am not sure what she meant by this, but for me, I need a more fulfilled life. I am afraid that I cannot get a more full life in tiny town, but I need to try. Of course getting a new job would dramatically help here, but I have done all I can do--just a waiting game now.
2. Possible theme: health. For me, this would encompass both physical and mental health. For physical health, I would include eating better (more veggies, less junk, more tofu, less meat, etc.), working out more (I feel about 50 pounds overweight, I am winded when I shouldn't be, I need to be more active and heart-healthy), I would also like to be more flexible. I think being more physically healthy and active would make me happy. Mental health, this is a toughy-I am pretty miserable at TBU. I cry. A lot. More than I should. I am finding less enjoyment in things that I used to like. I pull away from friends and family. I am less productive at work. I don't sleep well. I overeat. I am discouraged about who I am and where I am going. I am concerned about what would happen to my mental health if I do not get a job offer. I guess I am feeling somewhat optimistic (I typed would happen not will happen) about one of my job applications panning out. The thought of another year here is unbearable. If I end up staying here, I think I will need to see a therapist-something I almost did last year, but avoided doing. So physical and mental health would be a good guiding theme.
3. Positivity. I guess this would be related to mental health, but this would be a bit distinct. I feel like I need to be more positive, less focused on the negative, more focused on the glass half full. I complain too much. I dwell. I should find more gratefulness in my life.
4. Unnamed. I have been avoiding doing things, letting dishes pile up in the sink, avoiding laundry. I think it is part a depression issue--it makes me feel blah and avoid work. I avoid school work and sending unpleasant emails. I have been too ostrichy and too lazy....can I call this potential theme No lazy ostrich behavior?
Well, I too am going to think about this...I feel like it will come down to option 1 and 2....oddly both hinge so much on whether I get a job and leave this place.....
Monday, September 3, 2007
Reading a new blog....
Been reading New Kid on the Hallway. I am just loving reading others' blogs. Its so comforting. It makes me feel less alone. My family and friends are all non-academic and they just don't get it. Anyway, watching reruns of one of my favorite shows getting ready for the new season to start. Reading this new blog, I came across this explanation on New Kids blog:
"The truly pathetic thing about feeling overwhelmed by today is that it's probably a pretty average day for someone in an actual 9-to-5 job."
I taught for about 5 hours today, had about 4 hours worth of emails and other bureaucratic nonsense, and I hit the gym for 30 minutes. When I got home, I knit a bit, and tried to do some household chores....not the busiest day in the world, but I am so so so so tired. I am hoping that I gain a little endurance and stamina as the semester progresses.
"The truly pathetic thing about feeling overwhelmed by today is that it's probably a pretty average day for someone in an actual 9-to-5 job."
I taught for about 5 hours today, had about 4 hours worth of emails and other bureaucratic nonsense, and I hit the gym for 30 minutes. When I got home, I knit a bit, and tried to do some household chores....not the busiest day in the world, but I am so so so so tired. I am hoping that I gain a little endurance and stamina as the semester progresses.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Inspired by Profgirrrrl's Blog
So Profgirrrrl got an awesome email from a student and as such wrote on awesome response. I (both in my syllabus and in multiple class announcement) have instructed students in my Monday/Wednesday section of Introduction to Insert-My-True-Field-Here that they cannot attend my Tuesday/Thursday section and vice versa. Well, despite the fact that my syllabus also states that you should email me (not call me), I received a phone call that went like this:
Me (picking up the phone): Dr. Awesome
Student: Um, hello?
Me: Hello
Student: Um, I know you said that we weren't supposed to go to another section, but, like, I had to drop a class, then I had to add a class, my advisor said that I couldn't add that class cause its a bad idea for me, so then I was registering for this other class......
[this continued for a few minutes, I believe the student was trying to explain why the rules (i.e., you can only attend your section) should not apply to him/her because of the aforementioned, yet incomprehensibly explained series of circumstances. This monologue eventually ended with..]
Student: ... so can I attend your Thursday section of the class.
What I wished I said: No.
What I actually said: Just this once....
Damn, I hate being a pushover.
Me (picking up the phone): Dr. Awesome
Student: Um, hello?
Me: Hello
Student: Um, I know you said that we weren't supposed to go to another section, but, like, I had to drop a class, then I had to add a class, my advisor said that I couldn't add that class cause its a bad idea for me, so then I was registering for this other class......
[this continued for a few minutes, I believe the student was trying to explain why the rules (i.e., you can only attend your section) should not apply to him/her because of the aforementioned, yet incomprehensibly explained series of circumstances. This monologue eventually ended with..]
Student: ... so can I attend your Thursday section of the class.
What I wished I said: No.
What I actually said: Just this once....
Damn, I hate being a pushover.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Where have I been
To catch up soon....
In short, my high school reunion took me back home. I will share stories later.
I am currently catching up on emails, blogs, and having more meetings in a day than most people do all week.
In one of my favorite blogs, http://www.profgrrrrl.com/, she says that lately "Everything feels like it both is and is not an emergency." Took the words right out of my mouth. Literally describes the massive anxiety I have had the past few weeks. Its weird to be anxious about things and simulatneously not care that they aren't done.
More to come
In short, my high school reunion took me back home. I will share stories later.
I am currently catching up on emails, blogs, and having more meetings in a day than most people do all week.
In one of my favorite blogs, http://www.profgrrrrl.com/, she says that lately "Everything feels like it both is and is not an emergency." Took the words right out of my mouth. Literally describes the massive anxiety I have had the past few weeks. Its weird to be anxious about things and simulatneously not care that they aren't done.
More to come
Monday, August 13, 2007
Several Things
I haven’t done any work since the last post. Been reading someone's blog and laughing my ass off. I am new to blogging and blogging etiquette, so I don’t know what is appropriate to do….
I will soon have a “Blogs I read” section of this blog, but until then I will say the blog making me laugh today was Fumbling-towards-geekdom. One of my favorite things about this blog is the naming of tags. For instance, the tag, things that make me want to bite someone. I hope to have tags as clever as this one day.
In the spirit of things that make me want to bite someone, I just had a parent and some students stop by my office. Now school doesn’t start for weeks, orientation meetings don’t even start this week or next. Why are students here? Without air conditioning, I am here in tank top and shorts, no makeup, hair in a messy ponytail, trying to motivate myself to work---stay out of my office new students—this is my time.
I will soon have a “Blogs I read” section of this blog, but until then I will say the blog making me laugh today was Fumbling-towards-geekdom. One of my favorite things about this blog is the naming of tags. For instance, the tag, things that make me want to bite someone. I hope to have tags as clever as this one day.
In the spirit of things that make me want to bite someone, I just had a parent and some students stop by my office. Now school doesn’t start for weeks, orientation meetings don’t even start this week or next. Why are students here? Without air conditioning, I am here in tank top and shorts, no makeup, hair in a messy ponytail, trying to motivate myself to work---stay out of my office new students—this is my time.
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