Three things I should learn from my students

1. Life is more important than checking email 24-7
2. The world is wide open and ready for me to jump right in
3. It never hurts to ask, all someone can do is say no

Back Updates

I am getting stronger and progressing quickly, which is great news! I went from twice a week to once a week to every other week. As long as I keep up the exercises at home on a daily basis, my trainer said I probably only a handful of visits left. I don't see my ortho doctor until the middle or end of November. I feel better too. The pain in my back rarely goes down my leg (a great sign!) and when it does hurt (usually after sitting too long without stretching and moving around or lifting too much) it is centralized to one area. Ice and the occasional Aleve have helped for those occasions.

What's in a name?

Apparently, my students think that putting their name on their assignments is a waste of time because we are on the 4th assignment and several students continue to turn in assignments without their name or the assignment name included in the file name (as requested multiple times). I understand that I have to download their files from the learning management system, but it is a pain in my butt to have to remember which assignment is which when I go to grade them.

I am wondering if it would be appropriate to take off for this considering that I've included what to name the files in the assignments and I've reminded them multiple times. Or perhaps I will tell them I am won't grade assignments unless they are properly named. I know it's not that big of a deal, but it takes me an extra 10 minutes each time I go to grade assignments because I can't rename them before I download them. That is 40 minutes of my time wasted so far. They are college students. Shouldn't they know how to follow instructions? Maybe I'm being petty...

The Leap

Saw a job ad yesterday (the first time I've taken time to sit down and look), and I've decided to apply for the position. If I don't become a professor, this is the kind of job that I want. I actually became excited and giddy and yelled for Mr. T to come over because I was really excited about it. It is 1-3 hours from our parents, and I will still be working in academia and doing several things I enjoy. There are a million factors that have to fall in place if they are interested, but will worry about that later. Especially since I am not sure if I have the experience they are looking for. I know I have the experience, but maybe not in the way they are looking. My experience has been project based or through consulting work, all part-time. 

But I decided to go for it anyway. Of course the deadline is Friday so I've been working on it like a mad woman in-between other stuff I need to do. I've emailed folks for letters (only heard from two of them?!?!), and I've written my cover letter (well a draft), filled out the application, and updated my vita. I need to work more on the cover letter and try to get across that I am what they are looking for just in a different package perhaps. I already received a letter from one of the people I've done consulting work for. This letter rocked my world. I hadn't seen the data from the assessment of the project until I saw this letter. My work benefited people and made a difference! Plus, the job that I am applying for is similar to this consulting gig just on an all-the-time larger scale in which I would have other duties.

If anything the experience has helped me to get my feet wet and it has helped me to be more confident in who I am and what I have to offer. If they aren't interested no biggie, I know to look for these types of jobs as well as faculty positions in the future. If they are interested, I will become familiar with the process and maybe take a different path. Either way...

Taking a leap. Figured it can't hurt. I do have the water wings, and I'm sure there is a parachute around here somewhere.

The List

I was looking for something that I had stuck on my bulletin board and ran across a list that I started when I started my PhD program. It was a list that I scribbled on for the few years that I was in coursework. Basically, a Things to Remember When I Become a Professor list based on my experiences in the classroom.

Here are items from that list (they were not numbered on the list - this is for blog organizational reasons):

1. Always put up necessary files for students BEFORE class (this was a huge issue in all of the stats classes I took. I wanted to have the slides, etc to use in class and often they weren't put up early enough. However, I've learned this semester that this isn't always the best option, depending on what the files are. But I have explained that I will put them up when I feel they are best needed since many have asked for this information).
2. It's not possible to know everything. Always strive to learn more. (perhaps my favorite from the list)
3. It's okay to make changes
4. Try not to procrastinate (haha!)
5. It's okay to admit you don't know the answer, however try to find it (or better yet have your students find the answer if possible)
6. Post materials, assignments, etc in a timely manner
7. Make expectations and objectives as clear as possible
8. Be organized AND flexible
9. Don't be a scatterbrained professor. It stresses your students (of course I now realize that some days will be unfocused. But in general, I still believe this). 
10. Reflective learning (hmmm...I guess I mean to include it)
11. If needed have your students set ground rules and share them as a class (not sure why I would have thought this in a college level class)
12. Busy work (that is actually how I wrote it :))
13. If everyone does poorly on a test of assignment, one of two things most likely occurred: 1) the test didn't assess what was actually taught or learned and 2) your students didn't understand therefore you need to revisit the material again - perhaps in a new or different way
14. If you have groups, have group evaluations and perhaps roles within the groups. 

Are there things that your professors did when you were a student that have impacted who you are as a professor? Or will impact how you act as a professor if you aren't a professor yet?

Twinkle and Glaze

I saw the "twinkle" today in several of my students. You know the "I get it - oh cool - wow this is really useful and will make a difference" twinkle. I also saw the "glaze" in a few...as in "huh - what did you say? wait, where is that? huh?" glaze. 

Both make me happy to be in the classroom again. 

Water wings

I feel better after having a couple of days away with Mr. T, although I still feel pretty overwhelmed with the amount of work I have this semester. A little part of me worries that life in academia will always be like this. 

But more about our time together. This was the first time in over a year and a half that the two of us have gone away overnight and it was amazing. We talked and enjoyed each other's company. Mr. T told me about some things he's been thinking about - things that are pretty amazing that he wants to do with his life - things that will make a difference in people's lives. I hope he continues to talk about these things so we can figure out how to make them happen. He is such an amazing person and has so much to give others. 

So although my list of things to do is still long and most likely won't get shorter (every time I think I'm catching up more comes my way), I do feel as though someone has thrown me some water wings so I'm not longer about to drown. Of course with water wings you still have to work and struggle to stay afloat and not fall face-forward in the water. But I will worry about that another day. For now, I need to get back to work. 

The Cat

My dad once told me a story of a young cat that showed up at my parents' house. The cat was skittish of people and wouldn't come near them but had been eating the dog's food so he was sticking around. One day my Dad came home from work and was working in his garden when he heard the cat crying out. Thinking that perhaps the dog had hurt the cat he tried to find it. He looked all over the yard (a few acres) until he finally found the cat trying to stay afloat in a barrel he uses to catch rainwater. The cat was about to give out and he knew that he either had to grab the cat or it would die within minutes. Although he was worried he would get scratched or bitten by this wild cat, he grabbed it anyway. The cat lay limp so tired that it couldn't lift his head. He dried it off and put it on a blanket in the back of the garage with food and water. For the first hour the cat didn't move. During the second hour the cat continued to rest. During the third hour the cat lifted his head when my dad came in. During the fourth hour the cat was gone.

Yesterday - Today, hell this week, I feel like that cat is me except I haven't figured out how to get out yet. I have no idea if it is because of the shortened week and Little T getting sick or if my entire semester is going to be this way (I hope not!) but oh my...

On another note...I am going to get transcriptions of my interviews done (well some of them) - anyone have any suggestions for inexpensive yet professional services? I found one online service and sent a file off yesterday to see if they do a good job. I am really grateful I worked extra last year so we can afford for me to have some of the files done.

One more note...at least this weekend Mr. T and I get to spend two days away for a sports weekend. I got him tickets over 6 months ago for his birthday and some friends are watching Little T. I'm glad I already got the tickets and can't get my money back otherwise we probably would bail. But we need this time together. TMP needs to dry off and rejuvenate her marriage with Mr. T. 

Descriptors for men and women

It really bothers me that the language used to describe males and females is different. I’ve been a part of an exercise a few times in the last year in which people had to describe professors in our college in a couple of words – all positive and meant to showcase the good qualities they have. At first I couldn’t believe the difference in how people described the males and females professors. Then when it happened AGAIN with a different set of people doing the describing, I became annoyed and bothered by it. The males and females in our college are all strong researchers and teachers – they all do a pretty good job at what they do and yet the female professors were described as helpful, compassionate, caring, nurturing, friendly, warm-hearted, and so on and the males as opinionated, knowledgeable, intelligent, smart, innovative, professional, and so on. I don't have a problem with females being described as caring and nurturing for example but why aren't they also described as an innovative and professional and vice versa for males.