December 20, 2007
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Maybe I am wrong. (It’s happened before.) But when I am not at on campus in my office or in front of students, I am still thinking about how to improve it all. I’m thinking about education and how it can and should impact everyone’s lives. I’m thinking about how to better my teaching methods, how to make practically everything in my classes relevant, how to connect this with that, how to make it all worthwhile to even those who come in with the “it’s just bonehead English” attitude. What I may be wrong about is that I assume (eeek) that others of other professions do not do this when they aren’t at work, if ever. Do bankers think about how to make things easier on their customers, or real estate agents think of trying to only sell “green” houses, or lawyers about how to make the justice system work faster and better for all involved?
These constant thoughts are what possibly keep me from enjoying my breaks, yet I need them to continue to be passionate and current with what I am doing, with what is going on.
Now… I’ve heard my own dad say, “Yea, he takes his job too seriously.” Am I doing that too? And if I am or if people do, is that such a bad thing?
[I wonder if I can use any of these thoughtful blog entries in my tenure-track portfolio? Now, that's a better, more-light-hearted thought for the season.
Thank you to my sister, Alisa, for making me laugh very hard yesterday and today.]
Comments (3)
I take my job as a consultant very seriously. I’m always studying things that might make it better and comparing notes with others who do similar things. I work on these things constantly. It’s paid off, but I do wish I’d been able to cut loose a bit more in the past.
I definitely think you should find a way to get some blog entries into your portfolio.
Thank you for your insight. A friend of mine on Facebook (I have my blog imported there) said that he’s passionate too, but rarely do his friends want to hear “work talk”…
And, yes, I hope I can put blog entries in too. I may throw them in there; use ‘em as my “dividers” of information! I think the fact that I keep one is a daily boost to my professional development as a teacher.
Darling! You take your job seriously because you are a great teacher! But, even great teachers need a break. Here is an idea. You worked most of this week, and I would be willing to bet my pancreas that you will be working by Jan. 2. So, give next week to yourself! No work, no classes, no school…just enjoying the other things that you enjoy in life. Spend time playing with your kitty cat, snuggling your honeybun, and reading some book that you’ve put off reading because you don’t have time to read “that kind of thing” right now!
Have a fantastic break, you are a fantastic woman!!
(from an E.D.M.C. admirer!)