Well the Spring 2009 semester is winding to a close. I was telling a colleague one thing I really missed when I first went to work after graduating from college was the cycle of semesters. As a teacher, I love working on my syllabi and getting psyched about the coming semester. Then there's the fun of meeting your students and getting to know them. But then things never quite go as you plan. I usually plan too much and can't get to it all. Every semester I tell myself to leave some catch up days, but then I get too ambitious and don't want to give up the time. Which backfires. You would think I would learn!
As the chair, it seems I'm just as busy now as during the rest of the semester. I am looking forward to May and hoping that it will help stem the ongoing flood of emails. There are a lot of awards dinners and luncheons to go to at this time of year. Those are fun, especially because these events give me lots of chances to brag to IUP administrators about how great the English department is. But those meeting all take up time. And now we are into monitoring fall enrollments, hiring temporary faculty, and doing some end of the year reporting. The work keeps coming. Just as well, though, since the sun hasn't been out much in Indiana until today. But it's supposed to be in the 80s this weekend, so I'll try to get out for a walk with my family.
As the chair, it seems I'm just as busy now as during the rest of the semester. I am looking forward to May and hoping that it will help stem the ongoing flood of emails. There are a lot of awards dinners and luncheons to go to at this time of year. Those are fun, especially because these events give me lots of chances to brag to IUP administrators about how great the English department is. But those meeting all take up time. And now we are into monitoring fall enrollments, hiring temporary faculty, and doing some end of the year reporting. The work keeps coming. Just as well, though, since the sun hasn't been out much in Indiana until today. But it's supposed to be in the 80s this weekend, so I'll try to get out for a walk with my family.
Hi Gian,
Here are my comments on a few parts of your blog:
--"As a teacher, I love working on my syllabi and getting psyched about the coming semester. Then there's the fun of meeting your students and getting to know them."--
--I think this is the best part of being a teacher. You try to create syllabi / course designs that inspire students and help them make connections with the material. Your classes have definitely done that for me.
--"As the chair, it seems I'm just as busy now as during the rest of the semester. I am looking forward to May and hoping that it will help stem the ongoing flood of emails."
--As one of the people who contribute to this stream of emails, I take full responsibility. My new resolution is to send fewer messages and arrange time to talk in person or by phone instead regarding my dissertation. My fourth chapter should be on its way to you by May first as agreed. I almost feel guilty sending it to you considering the enormity of your workload.
--"The work keeps coming. Just as well, though, since the sun hasn't been out much in Indiana until today. But it's supposed to be in the 80s this weekend, so I'll try to get out for a walk with my family."
--It appears that you may need occasional breaks from serving as department chair to spend some time with family. Going for a walk sounds like a great idea. I know that I enjoyed celebrating my birthday last Sunday up in the mountains with my family and running the 5K with my nephew.
Gian, keeping this blog is a great idea so we can all share in your experiences as department chair. I think it gives readers a deeper sense of the great amount of responsibility that you carry on your shoulders. We'll be sure to remember your birthday in June! Hang in there...
Yes I agree with you the teaching experience is very best. Thanks for sharing your moments with us.