Back At It. The Winds Picked Up at the 14th Hour, Too. Karal Only Had One Outdoor Outing. Another Night of Teaching Continues. There are No Words

I've figured out a way to teach winter sessions so the students actually enjoy the experience and leave the agonizing complaints to a minimum. Meet them where they are. Assist them with every move. Model the easiest way to get the objectives met. Laugh a lot. Keep it interactive and engaging. And never, ever keep them 4 hours a night for 8 straight classes. In the words of members in the Dean's Office, the winter session is just cruel. Of course, I've had to reach out to the Dean's Office (only to receive away messages until the 2nd week of January) to inquire about missing students who haven't responded to the work of the first classes. I've fortunately received responses from them. It is extra cruel knowing a majority gets the time off while my time off is not existing.

Another way I stay afloat, though, is front loading a lot of work so that our sessions fly by efficiently and effectively. This equates to a series of 14-hour days of reading their work, helping them individually, and assisting every obstacle that stands in the way. When I learned I would teach the winter session, once again, I got into the right mindset. I am a servant to the needs of 26 student for two straight weeks. In some ways, my time on Rank & Tenure prepared me for this. 

But I'm going with the world cruel as my defense mechanism with colleagues when I return. It's not only cruel on students right before student teaching, but it's cruel on faculty expected to teach the course. The change was made to be this way by faculty who are no longer with us and who moved into the Dean's Office before they departed. In fact, almost 100% of the people who made such changes are now gone. Ironically, I was used to make these changes to better accommodate the program and state requirements. 

Newsflash. It is cruel. I turn to my left and turn to my right to discuss this with colleagues and, well, they're on break and have never had to teach the winter session course. I'm being paid for my time,  but it's not the right way to go. So much has to be rethought, reconsidered, and reworked, but without others to problem-solve...I'm not quite sure what to do. 

I do know, however, 30+ years in...I'm always students first and student-up, which thankfully the students appreciate. We'll get this done...but I'm feeling the workload in my bones. 

My defense mechanisms will be better next time. I take the wrath and keep the students pacified. I hear the complaints and I'm good and cheerleading them on. But it remains barbaric and cruel. 

Now time to plan for tonight.