I started teaching 9/27, and for the most part that's been consuming my life these last few weeks. Part of it is because, well, you haven't lived until you have taught a college course. Yes, little kids are cute, they are manageable for the most part, but my students are WOO like R. Kelly says.
Let's get things straight. I like teaching. It's fun. My class is fun (at least I think so), and we do meaningful stuff. Okay fine, it's an orientation to college class, success strategies, to be exact, but it's full of first years, second years, and wow, seniors. Now, you're probably asking, so what are seniors doing in a class that's meant for first years and transitional students? They need units. I can't hate on them. My university doesn't have fun classes like PE 44 that I took at Moo U. That was the best 2 units EVAR.
But what's been rough is that my class is 3:30-5. Wow. You know how you feel at that time? Well, that's how they look. And it's how I feel! Imagine trying to charm the pants off your class (not literally, you freak) and helping them to get their learn on, and they're looking at you like you're crazy. CRAY CRAY. My main means of presenting in class is to use powerpoint. Every single lecture is already powerpointed and ready to go. I use these sweet tools called clickers. I have discussion board responses, and super personalized projects for folks to do. It's fun. But it's rough when the room is warm, and they're falling off the chairs.
I have colleagues who tell students to not use laptops in class. I allow it. Honestly, it's how people take notes these days. But I also am not lame enough to recognize when someone receives an IM. I called someone out when their AIM started up. Comedy. It's just tough when my students are in the back obviously not paying attention to what they're doing in class, but they're on facebook.
I started my class with one premise: you're grown. You make your own decisions on how you want to be in this class. It could be sheer hell or it could be amusing if you let it. So I don't trip if they don't come to class, or if they're all about facebook. Do you really want to get a C in a class that's about how to be successful in college? It's telling. Students who fail out of my class (yes, there are those), pretty much can count on doing the same in the rest of their college experience.
I want to care. No wait, I care a lot about my students. All 25 of them. I'm just struggling because I have two co-teachers who I am trying to train the hell out of so they can teach their own class at some point. It's fun to do the class, really.
I keep telling myself that. I just spent about two hours reading journal entries online that they wrote, and I love how willing students are to spill their guts and be honest about their challenges in the academic environment. The class gets more interesting for me, and even though it's been hard at some points, it's reaffirmed my love for being in the classroom.
Honestly this is the reason why I haven't blogged much. I've been sitting and thinking about teaching lately. I've also been watching Husbandido play Halo 3.
So I'll be back next month. This month, btw, is Manifesto Month! I'm open to discussions on what I should write about. If anything, hurry your thangs up because I only have a few more days!
Voodoo
