First things first. Where in the world have two assignments gone, two assignments that I KNOW I received, two assignments that were completed by the same freaking student?!?!?! I am taking deep breaths and searching, but I pray to St. Anthony, the Universe, the blogging gods that these will turn up very soon.
Second, and this is why what I do matters in spite of my feelings of futility at this point in the semester. I arrived at my office today to find flowers and a lovely note from a graduating senior. I’m still misty (although also angst-ridden about the Lost Assignments). Here’s an excerpt:
“I can honestly say that when I first took your class I thought it was the hardest thing in the entire world and I thought you were the biggest bitch for making me do it. About halfway through the semester, though, all of a sudden, I knew this stuff. I knew it and I could write it and read it and it was easy. I truly believe it was that class that taught me how to write a really kick-ass critical essay.”
And it goes on from there.
Seriously, I’m all choked up again just typing it out. Fuck. I feel like I’m going to cry again at graduation this year. I seriously wish that I didn’t care so much, because all of this teary-eyed bullshit really gets in the way of my “biggest bitch” persona.
Yeah, those damn students who keep liking us despite our best efforts to scare them. It’s getting harder and harder to scare the youth nowadays.
Regarding the assignments: have you looked under the seats of your car? I have lost quite a few assignments there.
The “bitch” introduction never boded well when I experienced it on the first day of class… the “tough guy” or “badass” was much better. I learned from the latter personas, but ignored/ hated/ tolerated the lectures of the former persona. Perhaps it’s just me – I don’t shy from challenge, but I don’t consider touching a prickly pear a necessary part of the curriculum. I’m guessing you’re more the “tough guy” or “badass” than the “bitch.”
Awwww…sniffle!
What? I’ve got something in my goddamn eye!
Damn, that’s sweet. I love those moments!
Awwww!
Oh, every semester I have a lost assignment fright. They’re never actually lost. They are usually stuck inside a folder inside another folder, or inside my research folder, or just underneath the folder that I brought home last.
What a heartwarming letter and gift from your graduating senior. It’s a joy to know that we can help them to grow!
I love those moments. They make up for many of the head-desk moments.
@ Liz – I don’t introduce myself as a bitch. But that doesn’t stop students from thinking I am one
Once I found out about that reputation, though, I have started to say something along the lines of the following, early in the semester: “So. You guys may have heard some things about me. Things that make you think I’m a “mean lady.” Well, let me tell you about that. I’m going to challenge you. I’m not going to give you an easy A. But you’re going to learn from me. And you know, I’m ok if you think I’m a “mean lady” as long as you work hard.”
(They actually find the “mean lady” thing hilarious, and so do I, quite frankly. Takes all the teeth out of the “wow, Dr. Crazy’s a total bitch!” word on the street
Also has helped with stopping students from calling me a bitch on evaluations. )
I’ve got to say, I resist the “tough guy” or “badass” monikers more than bitch, though, as they just reinforce the idea that being a rigorous professor is gendered masculine. I’m all about embracing the fact that I really and truly am a woman and a rigorous professor. Thus, “mean lady.”
[...] good at kicking ass. And it’s not like I didn’t warn them. I told them about the student who wrote me that letter last spring who said she thought I was the biggest bitch for making her do the theory – [...]