on students, school, and the department falling apart
I think I am getting the slightest bit more comfortable with my classes. I still think I often sound like an idiot, and I probably bore some of my students while confusing others as I try to clarify or go over things (especially assignments), but at least one girl nods and seems to be there with me and gets it, so that's good I guess.
I need to work out a better system for preparing, especially since my class will be diverging from our class soon on the materials, and since I suspect it won't be long before I have our class alone for awhile.
I am fortunate to have a good group; however, taking over our class still concerns me at times. It also concerns me that the last class period or two I've found myself just talking without really focusing on what I'm saying, which either means I'm really starting to get a little more comfortable or know what I'm saying a little more, or I'm really starting to freak out in front of them!
Speaking of freaking out, I'm really concerned for one of our students because she has already missed three days on account (I think) of not wanting to do her speech before the class. That means we're getting ready to start week four and she's out of freebie absences. I want to help her through this and volunteer letting her do something to make it easier on her (such as sit, make everyone turn around, etc.), but I dont' want to step in over the other instructor. *sigh* I'm thinking of sending her an affirming email encouraging her that she can do it and I will meet with her to practice or try to do whatever I can to help, and if she tries and cannot, we will do something else.
So yeah, thesis sucks, I don't have a clue what I'm doing any more, my chair cannot help me because of many reasons right now (health related), and I don't really care anymore. But I really have to start back on that. Blah.
I have no idea how theory is going, other than it is going.
And the training manual, I think, we were going to really focus on the second part of the semester? Again, Patti's out. :\ Which really worries me too because I've had like no real contact with her since the first week, and I'm kinda freaked out and worried about her.
As for the department falling apart, the woman who knows and arranges everything has resigned and it's obvious from numerous past experiences the other secretaries have no idea how to do what she does. The countdown commences!
I need to work out a better system for preparing, especially since my class will be diverging from our class soon on the materials, and since I suspect it won't be long before I have our class alone for awhile.
I am fortunate to have a good group; however, taking over our class still concerns me at times. It also concerns me that the last class period or two I've found myself just talking without really focusing on what I'm saying, which either means I'm really starting to get a little more comfortable or know what I'm saying a little more, or I'm really starting to freak out in front of them!
Speaking of freaking out, I'm really concerned for one of our students because she has already missed three days on account (I think) of not wanting to do her speech before the class. That means we're getting ready to start week four and she's out of freebie absences. I want to help her through this and volunteer letting her do something to make it easier on her (such as sit, make everyone turn around, etc.), but I dont' want to step in over the other instructor. *sigh* I'm thinking of sending her an affirming email encouraging her that she can do it and I will meet with her to practice or try to do whatever I can to help, and if she tries and cannot, we will do something else.
So yeah, thesis sucks, I don't have a clue what I'm doing any more, my chair cannot help me because of many reasons right now (health related), and I don't really care anymore. But I really have to start back on that. Blah.
I have no idea how theory is going, other than it is going.
And the training manual, I think, we were going to really focus on the second part of the semester? Again, Patti's out. :\ Which really worries me too because I've had like no real contact with her since the first week, and I'm kinda freaked out and worried about her.
As for the department falling apart, the woman who knows and arranges everything has resigned and it's obvious from numerous past experiences the other secretaries have no idea how to do what she does. The countdown commences!