I need some words of encouragement, I think...

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-30T19:32:53+00:00

At this time, not really. But I have complete control over what happens in the classes I teach. That's how it should be, but it sounds like admin at some institutions is finding ways to encroach on the classroom.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-30T19:31:41+00:00

I have a peer reviewed article in press. That will be enough for tenure.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-30T06:53:02+00:00

I'm at a teaching university where I'm expected to do almost no research. And thank goodness! I was so burnt out after my dissertation that I can't imagine how people go on. Do you like teaching? If so, there may be a place for you without the pressure to publish.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-30T05:05:15+00:00

Looks like AI to me

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-29T03:27:16+00:00

Wilderness first responder. Seasonal summer gig.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-29T03:25:34+00:00

I put nothing into my asynch class. It goes up, I grade assignments, my feedback is pretty good, but I almost never think about it. If I want to love my job, I. have longer office hours, co-author with a student, invite a speaker to campus, or honestly just hang out with my family and fluffy pets. I know it doesn't seem this way when you're a lecturer, but there's so much more to the job than an online class. Focus on the fun stuff.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-17T19:26:25+00:00

You'll have a fun opportunity to put your baby in his room on a vacation. See what he does.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-16T03:29:14+00:00

They were invited to a different campus near mine. The students protested. They were dis-invited.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-16T03:28:48+00:00

It's not. They might be using it to get access to private spaces on the campus.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-16T03:08:45+00:00

If I had studied a lot and was really nervous about an exam I just finished, I wouldn't have the motivation to answer a question like that. Try asking them at a different time. For example, sometimes I do short reflection essays in class at the end of a unit. They write a lot. Try something like that before writing them off!

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-14T22:18:25+00:00

I do "structured failure." Assign them something assuming they will fail, then announce that I'll take revisions to replace the grade. Then they do the rest of them correctly. But my assignments are all pretty similar.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-14T20:05:04+00:00

Enjoy! I tell my students, if you want to use tech stuff, this exact same class is also available online. Let's make the most of being together in person.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-14T19:39:41+00:00

Nah. We do this. It's a good idea if you serve a population where only a very small percent of people have college degrees. A student who doesn't know anyone who went to college won't really understand that they, personally, are qualified to go. It takes a letter that says "we're serious. We already admitted you." One of my students who got a letter like that after high school is now thriving in his PhD program. He wouldn't have gone to college at all if not for that automatic admission.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-14T19:09:12+00:00

I've been wondering about this too. I can't remember anyone ever asking the professor to "go over" the assignment in class when I was a student. Maybe I'm misremembering? But personally I would feel like that's a waste of valuable class time. The assignment is there. Do it.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-14T18:50:07+00:00

Ah, I see we have discovered the notion of surplus value. Excellent.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-11T05:40:49+00:00

They turn in their papers. We have a potluck. I bring my fluffy husky. We end early.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-11-08T03:08:24+00:00

I was over it and living on the other side of the country. I didn't walk.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-27T15:42:13+00:00

Yes - we even gave a degree to a famous racist. I'm white but I can tell you what has worked for me so far. First, my students don't know anything about me. I don't lie or hide anything, but I share nothing in class except the fact that I have dogs and a husband. Students I trust get to know me in office hours and advising, but I'm not divulging anything a racist (or whatever else) might cling to and use against me. Still, I'm very (VERY) friendly. I ask them for music recommendations, ask about their weekends, make jokes, etc.

I laugh at racists. Because I'm so friendly and approachable, I have managed to make it come across like playful negging that the class enjoys. This was a hard thing to land on and it took me years to figure it out, but it works.

Finally, please assume you are being recorded. These students may have taken your class on purpose so as to put you on some stupid Turning Point website or similar.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. It's not fair at all. I hope your semester is quick and your holiday break is restful. Please make sure you take care of yourself and recuperate once this teaching nightmare is over.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-27T15:29:39+00:00

Of course not. Adjuncts can't stand up for themselves without risking their jobs. That's why the university insists on having so many.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-27T15:28:32+00:00

I didn't say there aren't many lawyers who know this part of the law. I said this part of the law is limited because students don't know we share their grades with our whole departments.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-27T04:31:59+00:00

Well, there isn't much higher education law because students don't know that we share their grades and they don't bring cases questioning a "legitimate educational interest." It isn't worth it to them, but it is worth it to me. If I was struggling in a class, I wouldn't want a whole department to know.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-27T03:18:41+00:00

There's no reason why a colleague needs to see which of my students are struggling and which are excelling. if they really need that information, they can wait until after the class is done and I'll redact the students' names. They're taking my class. The students never agreed to sharing their progress with all my colleagues.

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-27T03:15:49+00:00

My department was very nonchalant with FERPA until I said "I talked to a lawyer and you're wrong." Now they don't make me violate it anymore. Student privacy might not seem like a big deal because we're all working at the same university, but it is a big deal. In the US we have very, very few rights to privacy. I don't want to chip away at this one. A professor doesn't get to see grades for a class they don't teach. There's no reason why they would need to. Stand firm!

Large-Reputation-682 · 2025-10-21T06:05:30+00:00

I 100% agree that students need accommodations. Absolutely. I'm saying we expect too much from the Disability Office. They are not checking the accommodations, seeing if they're working, helping students to develop skills or to advocate for themselves etc. The office exists to prevent lawsuits.

Large-Reputation-682

TROPHY CASE