I enjoyed my return to campus today. Classes haven't started yet, but I'm enrolled in orientation sessions throughout the week. They aren't just for students in my department, but for instructors and TA's in all departments across campus. It's interesting to meet people teaching other subjects and to hear their varied perspectives on the challenges and rewards that come with the territory. At the same time, whenever I explain that I am a middle school teacher who is making the shift into academia, I tend to get an underwhelmed response followed by some ridiculous statement to which I know not what to say.
First there was, "You know. Every time I meet a middle school teacher, she's always a striking and small woman. I bet the boys never skip your class! Ha ha!" Then there was, "English teacher, eh. Do you still have your students diagram sentences? You know, I never understood the contraction or the preposition until I had to diagram sentences. I've heard that's not taught any more and I think it's a real dumbing down of the curriculum."
Sometimes these comments make me feel like I don't belong at the university. Not because I don't feel smart enough or because I don't know enough about my discipline to play along with the scholars. But mainly, I think I don't belong because I'm not . . . well . . . an ass.
8 comments:
I love your attitude! You go represent girl!!!
Middle School teachers deserve the most respect out of anyone. They have the toughest jobs EVER. You go - back to school - girl.
I am happy for you!
i'm lol about that last line.
Hmmmm, I might have had those v. same folks in law school .... I remember, all too well, the breed of academians who took themselves way too seriously and thought their world was the only that existed and they were the smartest ones in it. You're right, you don't fit into that. But there were plenty of others who saw the big picture and realized they were there to figure out their place in the world and NOT to make their world the only place.... You fit in v. well there.
You need to be there to educate while you're getting more educated!
Hey, I've thought a lot about you the last two days with the start of workshop.
good lord. well, you are a lovely woman, so... i guess that's a compliment??
i was required to teach diagramming for awhile last year, but now i've totally sworn it off.
are you coming over tomorrow? i hope so.
mLove your take on this. I can't wait to hear about your classes & life at the university again.
Lisa
I've never diagramed a sentence and couldn't even if I wanted to. Look, I think I did that incorrectly.
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