Dear Techer,
I didn’t turn in 3 of my but it wasnt my fault. I had a family emergency. Then we had to go out of town to see my grandma. Then my friend’s computer would not print and I need to get my printer fixed but I’m working a lot of hours and can’t get my new printer until I get my work paycheck witch isn’t for another four weeks. But I want to turn in my work from last month. Because it’s not fair if I have no grade.
Dear Student,
You asked about submitting assignments 8 weeks after their deadline:
The syllabus states that all work must be submitted by deadlines. The course is built on acquiring and using skills: the ideas we practiced in week 2 are the ones we applied in the assignments for Weeks 3, and 4.
To help students understand that they needed to submit the assignments in order, so we can use the skills we learn, the syllabus states that all assignments that earn credit must be submitted on time. If I allowed you to submit work late for grade credit, I would be breaking the rules in the syllabus.
If you would like to write those assignments to practice the skills, I am willing to look at what you have done. By practicing the things we worked on in the second week in the semester, you will see improvement in your work. However, it would be unfair to the students who made time in their schedules to turn those assignments in on time, for you to earn that same credit for turning in work 8 weeks after it is due.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Those that can, do; those that can’t, teach
Someone told me that comment (with a large smile) when I finished college and began teaching. It hurt then – the assumption that teachers are more fitted for talking about the greats in their field than producing in their field – and it still leaves me pondering.
I think what the critics forget is that teachers are often so busy finding great examples, inspiring people, and solid ways to teach the range of students in our classes, that when the end of our day comes, there is much less time for our own creativity. We’ve given that time and a lot of that energy to our students. We’re researched, we’ve met with parents and colleagues to devise individual lesson plans. We’re made batches of clay for tomorrow’s art project or cut out blanks of colored paper for the placards in the gym. We’ve shopped for tissue because the school supply is depleted. Instead of composing music or writing novels or creating art, we do the dishes, mop the floor, and head off to bed – tomorrow we’ll be back in the classroom, encouraging, mentoring, reading student papers, and monitoring the lunch room.
Maybe we need to re-define “do” and “teach.” We are doing: we are demonstrating commitment and artistry. Maybe we’re not applying paint to canvas or crafting a new novel each year. Yet, I would prefer to argue that those who want to spend their time for the betterment of others, are doing. We may be crafting, writing, drawing, and photographing in our spare time. We may be living novels and writing them. But we’re also sharing knowledge and our time with our students.
I think what the critics forget is that teachers are often so busy finding great examples, inspiring people, and solid ways to teach the range of students in our classes, that when the end of our day comes, there is much less time for our own creativity. We’ve given that time and a lot of that energy to our students. We’re researched, we’ve met with parents and colleagues to devise individual lesson plans. We’re made batches of clay for tomorrow’s art project or cut out blanks of colored paper for the placards in the gym. We’ve shopped for tissue because the school supply is depleted. Instead of composing music or writing novels or creating art, we do the dishes, mop the floor, and head off to bed – tomorrow we’ll be back in the classroom, encouraging, mentoring, reading student papers, and monitoring the lunch room.
Maybe we need to re-define “do” and “teach.” We are doing: we are demonstrating commitment and artistry. Maybe we’re not applying paint to canvas or crafting a new novel each year. Yet, I would prefer to argue that those who want to spend their time for the betterment of others, are doing. We may be crafting, writing, drawing, and photographing in our spare time. We may be living novels and writing them. But we’re also sharing knowledge and our time with our students.
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