Graduation was awesome! The epitome of the culmination of all their hard work and sacrifice is all wrapped up in about an hour and a half. As I watch each student walk across the stage I remember, like short flashbacks, short instances of interaction with just about all of them, whether from class, lab, Phi Theta Kappa, or just passing them in the hallways or student lounges. It is truly amazing to watch someone who has made it to the end of a rainbow only to hop on another one.
Because we are in a small rural town, the Great Recession has really hit us hard and really most students will have to move away in order to find some sort of work. It makes me worry for this small community.
On another note, lately I've been going through one of my I really wish I had my PhD spells. When I achieved my masters degree in 1994 I decided then I wanted my PhD. Well it is now almost 17 years later and I still have not gotten the chance to pursue it. I am beginning to think my chances at this dream are now dwindling. But you know, I do love teaching! I've heard that when you become a PhD, you begin doing more research than teaching, but I do love research too.
Speaking of research, there is a research project I'm dying to do. I first need to understand econometrics and find some mentor....surely I can do this without the PhD credentials!
Right now I need to concentrate on getting my classes as automated and effective as possible. I realize that our students traditionally have different backgrounds than those going to universities because our students quite frequently have not attended school in a while due to being in the work force or what have you. So quite often we are put in a position of teaching not only course material, but also foundation skills that younger students have just recently learned. In addition many of our students have family responsibilities that preclude spending extra time on their studies. However there has got to be a way to awaken that part of knowledge quicker, maybe not by worker longer, but by working smarter. Hmmmm, I think I'll work on that this summer. You know what? I can do this and I will!
Are you an overzealous community college instructor? Do you daydream of having an assistant? Do you often undertake an overload of courses so a few students can graduate on time? Are you changing textbooks more times than you can count? If you have answered yes to one of these questions, you are probably an OVERZEALOUS COMMUNITY COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR. A cure for this malady has not yet been found. However, with the euphoria that comes with helping others....who wants to be cured anyway?????
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Spring Semester 2011 FINALLY in full swing!!
Spring Semester began very slowly! Our first week of school was snowed out, like the last week of school last semester. We are still struggling with a new online teaching platform. If the instructors are confused, you KNOW the students are confused! Plus, I have taken on a ridiculously HUGE overload this semester. My boss's boss warned me, but I told her confidently, I'll be fine. But, after a few very late nights (like 3:30 in the morning late), I'm not so confident anymore (why do I always feel I need a learning experience, why can't I just take the advice of others who have been there done that???).
I have to tell you, though, that I love my students more and more each semester. There are always the same complaints (why do I have to figure out how to do this when you can just walk me through it AND why do I have to come to class OR why do we not have more classtime). But you know, just like getting used to the idiosyncracies (sp?) of your significant other and loving him for them, I now love hearing those same ole complaints. You just shake your head and say, yep, life is rough. If I could download the learning to your brain, I would, but in accounting you generally have to learn by doing, and you can't learn by doing if I do it for you. :-)
We are beginning a VITA site this year also. VITA stands for "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance" and it is an IRS-sponsored program whereby IRS-certified volunteers will prepare (FOR FREE) tax returns for taxpayers whose income is less than $49,000. It's an awesome program, and talk about a WIN-WIN!! Not only do most of our students qualify for the free tax preparation, but the students who volunteer to prepare the tax returns will gain invaluable experience (soft skills - those skills that you can't teach in a classroom), not to mention the valuable mention of the experience and the certification on their resumes!
So far things have really gone well for this program, I am so proud of the students who have decided to help out.
Well, I am REALLY behind on grading, so ta-ta for now.....I heard another version of the ancient accounting blessing (May your debits equal your credits), which is: may your assets exceed your liabilities! I love my students!!!!
I have to tell you, though, that I love my students more and more each semester. There are always the same complaints (why do I have to figure out how to do this when you can just walk me through it AND why do I have to come to class OR why do we not have more classtime). But you know, just like getting used to the idiosyncracies (sp?) of your significant other and loving him for them, I now love hearing those same ole complaints. You just shake your head and say, yep, life is rough. If I could download the learning to your brain, I would, but in accounting you generally have to learn by doing, and you can't learn by doing if I do it for you. :-)
We are beginning a VITA site this year also. VITA stands for "Volunteer Income Tax Assistance" and it is an IRS-sponsored program whereby IRS-certified volunteers will prepare (FOR FREE) tax returns for taxpayers whose income is less than $49,000. It's an awesome program, and talk about a WIN-WIN!! Not only do most of our students qualify for the free tax preparation, but the students who volunteer to prepare the tax returns will gain invaluable experience (soft skills - those skills that you can't teach in a classroom), not to mention the valuable mention of the experience and the certification on their resumes!
So far things have really gone well for this program, I am so proud of the students who have decided to help out.
Well, I am REALLY behind on grading, so ta-ta for now.....I heard another version of the ancient accounting blessing (May your debits equal your credits), which is: may your assets exceed your liabilities! I love my students!!!!
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