And just like that, it's exam week: I wish I could tell my student people to take deep breaths. Lots of last-minute anxiety, so the days are long, but overall a sense of satisfaction and good endings.
It was the kind of day where I constantly pivoted like a dancer: from sharing the first years' sense of accomplishment in the morning (their first semester at college down, look at the posters they made!) to making notes as students presented on projects they've been working on for six weeks (and marveling at their insights and how skilled they are at encouraging each other!) to a discussion with the college's board of trustees in the early evening (just the department chair and me, we thought it went well).
That last task reminded me that someone put me on a list of nominees for the MSU board of trustees. When I demurred, EM said (referring to the spate of Title IX missteps at MSU since Larry Nassar) I was totally worthy because at the very least I wouldn't sexually harass anyone. Well, in that case...
Pic: Amaryllis are blooming in my tea garden. Time to go start the narcissi so they'll be in bloom by Christmas (I say, hopefully).
8 comments:
At the very least you won't sexually harass anyone! Well, are they SURE about that? Hahahaha! Seriously though, what a lovely honour (well deserved of course!)
My older son is gearing up for his exams. He had a big group project and they were all meeting yesterday...and not one person showed up. He was quite frustrated but he's in the business and management program and I feel like this might just happen many times. I remember similar frustrating situations.
The bar is so low for leadership at universities these days. *heavy sigh* (Not that you wouldn't be a GREAT addition, but if all we're looking for is breathing and not sexually molesting anyone...)
Very pretty.
I would think you bring a great deal more to the Board than that. Good heavens. How dismissive and unfunny.
Re: your students' projects. That makes me think of what I miss from my teaching days. I miss hearing students talk about their perspectives of poetry and literature during presentations. (Or anything, really) Being around teenagers--I taught high school--was often a delight, listening to them talk, hearing their take on things, even hearing the way they used language. Every so often, I do miss that.
SO MUCH anxiety!! I made the final exam in my large lecture class a take home essay exam because the students! Are so stressed!!
Nicole--*I'm* very sure about that! How frustrating for your son--group projects... any joint endeavor... is such a gamble. But as you say from experience, we best get used to it, I guess.
NGS--How sad because true!
StephLove--thank you!
Nance--This made me smile because I could sense your inner protector roaring. EM is a very good friend and I'm 100% certain she wasn't being dismissive of me, just frustrated by MSU.
Also, I think that is exactly what I would miss about teaching as well. Sometimes, I think teachers' hearts are always breaking from love.
Sarah--Right?!? It's like, kids--I can't *promise* you things will be alright, but they probably will. And also, I'm getting contact/secondhand anxiety.
Beautiful.
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