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February 27, 2008
Twelve Hour Days
I was going to post yesterday, but I was running from 9:30am to about 9:45pm. If I wasn't teaching, I was grading or writing or coaching a student in his monologues or working on something else. Plus a movie. Students for two of my classes saw Bird last night, a lovely film lasting two hours and 40 minutes.
It was a long evening, given that I couldn't really relax & enjoy the movie because I had to be in teacher mode. I would so love to have them all be grownups for a day, just a day. Just one day when no one is acting out in my class, but is keeping their issues to themselves and behaving politely, thinking of their classmates' needs as opposed to trying to , I don't know, prove that I'm an asshole to justify their lack of participation in class.
News flash: You're all adults now. If you don't want to be in class, don't come to class. If you don't wish to participate, don't come to class. You may not be getting anything out of the experience, but don't spoil it for your classmates. That's just asshattery.
I should, of course, point out that most of my students are not royal pains. It's just a lovely few. I wish they could work out their authority issues with someone else, given that I really don't enjoy being the authority figure. Pick someone who wants to come down hard on you to rebel against. But I suspect they pick me because it's safe. They won't end up destroyed and bleeding at the end of an encounter with me, just a little bruised.
Today looks to be equally long, given that I walked to school and have grading and teaching. (Interestingly, no one behaves like a butthead in the class I have today. It's the same kind of student mix, but they're good to each other. Hmmmm...) Followed by more grading and then a walk home before I drive back here* for dinner at one of the sororities (I love going to faculty appreciation dinners, they're a hoot) and then rehearsal at seven. I get tired just thinking about the day ahead of me.
Very tired.
*I am driving back to campus because there was a sexual assault here last week. I don't think they've caught the guy yet. I have NO desire to walk home, alone, in the dark.
Posted by sally at February 27, 2008 10:39 AM
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