Lessons Learned This Time Around

I taught my last classes today. I now have a break until August! And by "break" I mean lots and lots of grading and then a summer full of planning and tweaking for two more classes.

Some things I've learned this time around...

Things Went Much More Smoothly This Semester Because:

1. I was myself.

Are you thinking, "Who else would you be?" What I mean is that my first semester of teaching was a battle to maintain control but be approachable but not be too friendly and be as fair and just as possible when grading and yet trying to make class pleasant for 15 whole weeks. The fact that I was constantly observing other teachers - and being observed by them - made for a whole lot of stress.

This time around I focused on making class, exercises, homework, activities,and lessons as entertaining as I could while still making them academically relevant. I wasn't afraid to joke around. I wasn't afraid of silence. I wasn't afraid of students laughing at me (and they do!) or teasing me (and they do!). I just lightened the hell up and it was great.

I wouldn't say that I've come into my own as a teacher yet, but a whole year's worth of experience has helped a lot.

2. I graded like a freakin' boss.

In addition to four "big" papers, I gave almost daily readings and homework throughout the entire semester. I didn't do this for busy work, but to stress independent learning and continual assessment of writing and development. It also helps raise a student's grade if they're not the best writer but are willing to put in a lot of work.

It's not only a lot of work for them - it's a lot for me. It means I have to do as much grading as they do homework. And this time around, I was totes on top of that stuff. I graded daily, in between the classes I was taking as a student. And I kept perfect and complete track of grades and attendance in my nifty teacher book.

It's one of those life lessons: painful a teensy bit on a daily basis but is paying off by the boatload now that almost all the grades are done.

3. I tried to teach a class I would want to take.

Many of you guys are like me and never had to actually take any freshman composition courses in college because you tested out of them. That said, I can't compare the classes I teach to any classes that I took in college. I mean, not really. Frankly, I've never concentrated all that much on how to deconstruct what makes good writing, and it turns out those things are (1) hard to explain to others, and (2) really hard to make interesting.

So, I try to make sure all of the readings are relevant and as creative as they could possibly be. And varied. And diverse. I incorporate Ted talks and commercials and poems and essays and cuss words and graphics and art work and, this semester, "Mean Girls." I try to be honest about the importance of reading and writing while still allowing lots and lots of room for debate and questioning and whining and complaining and honesty from a room full of kids who are intimidated by writing.

There is an extreme payoff to this: it keeps me and the students continually interested in what we're doing. This also means that I can never just plan for a semester and then put it on the shelf until the next semester: all materials for almost all classes must be tweaked in order to still be relevant. So, pros and cons.  And lots and lots of time.

This Type A Introvert has spent most of the past 15 weeks in a state of exhaustion. But it's really worth it!

Now, I'll pay you $1,000 to write my Fem Thought research paper.