Not For the Faint of Heart

To all the teachers out there who listened to me whine without saying "get over it" - thank you!!

This whole college course teaching thing has been very different from any other teaching I have done before. When I first handed out the assignments to the class, from the volume of the complaints, you would have thought I'd asked for their first born son. And an arm. And a leg. Man, they were upset. But, come one, no one's thrilled about homework right? So, I tried to take it in stride.

I mostly ignored the obvious inattention while I lectured. It is their own choice to totally ignore what I say and look at photographs on their laptops or text their significant others. That's fine. Until they start realizing they have NO IDEA what to do when I hand out assignments. That's when I started to be annoyed. Wait, didn't I just explain that? Twice?

And then they handed in the first paper. I nearly cried reading them. Were 2/3 of them really not listening? I distinctly recall telling them what not to use as a source. So, yes, 2/3 of them really were not listening.

APA format? Don't get me started.

Anyway, once they received my what-I-thought-were-gentle grades, it was the apocalypse. The other teacher and I were inundated with violent protestations about my horrible cruelty in giving them a B - or heaven forbid a C! Even if I didn't understand or listen or do the actual work I was supposed to, shouldn't I get an A? Seriously, if I was ever like this (and maybe I have selective memory lapses) I am getting my just desserts.

I decided, in my kind nature and because some of the issues were probably from my imprecise directions (students should never have to actually think about what should go in a paper - it should be told them in precise and complete detail), I allowed them to correct their mistakes and improve the grade.

I think I got over it (although this post seems to indicate otherwise). Some of the students haven't.

The second paper was much simpler. No APA stuff, no outside sources. It had a clear outline, I told them exactly what they needed. And then I was much less harsh in my grading. A's and B's only. They. were. still. mad. I had mentioned revisions could be made for this paper as well. I had people who missed 3 POINTS on the paper turning them back in. For one extra point? Really?

In my defense, the other professors have informed me this is the worst class for whining they have had. Ever. Also for not listening. I have done some test review with them and discovered that nothing I ever mentioned before the final began looming made it into their heads.

However, now that I have ranted for far too long, let me tell you what makes teaching worth it. Let's call these things tender mercies:

• A student who mentions my research course is her favorite class - who actually enjoys the topic itself
• A student who apologizes for the behavior of herself and her peers following the return of their papers
• Another student who apologizes for her peers and helps me feel like a human again (rather than the evil red-pen monster)
• A select number of students who ask me to clarify a concept they already understand to some degree, rather than explain the exact same basic concept nine times over again
• A student who tells me I am a good teacher and it is the concepts that are difficult
• Students who come to me for help with their assignments and listen to what I say and implement that into their papers and projects
• Students who speak respectfully to me about their grades, and ask me to explain the concepts they missed on their assignments

So, you can see there are many things that have contributed to my enjoyment of this new experience. I like helping students. I like to help them understand and to prepare research projects and find information. I guess I was just completely unprepared for the vile slandering that also accompanies the beautiful moments.

Would I choose to do this experience again?

In a heartbeat.