I was at the gym this morning and heard two retired men talking about how they were not looking forward to next week at the gym. Why? They chatted about how the New Year’s Resolution crowd would clog the gym for the first few weeks of January. I understood their comments. I realize that  January will be a circus at the Hot Yoga studio, but thankfully when I work out on campus I am there too early for the students. It’s me, other staff, and the athletes.

I do not believe in New Year’s Resolutions. I understand that they are motivating for some people; however, I like to think that regardless of the month I have resolved to attempt to do better. This might include making sure that I spend more time with my loved ones or resolving to not take work home. I do believe in lists, though. I have monthly lists or sometimes even term lists of things to do. I actually stopped writing for a minute to print out my Jan 2011 to do list.

Typically half way through one of my upper division courses I will distribute a handout that speaks to letters of reference. Most students are not aware of the process. My handout spells out my wants. For instance, in a perfect world I expect a resume, a copy of the letter of intent, information about the courses that the student had with me and the earned grades, and any other important matter.

My advice is that the student needs to be organized. Make sure that the request is as painless as possible for the instructor. You do not want us to have to send you multiple emails for information. One year I had a former student not contact me after repeated emails. I wrote the letter as requested, but was not given the password to submit it.  After the deadline I bumped into him in the hallway and was met with a, “I didn’t need your letter after all.” I immediately informed him that this was rude and unprofessional. I will never write that student a letter again.

One very organized student sent me an excel spreadsheet with the programs, deadlines, and other matter in the spreadsheet. This was really useful as I was writing multiple letters for her. Some programs had online letter submissions and others didn’t. Then, add to that the assessments that you also have to include. The files can be unforgiving and multiple this by writing upwards of three dozen letters and you can see that it can get really busy.

Full-time regular faculty get paid (essentially) to write letter. Contingent faculty (sessionals/adjuncts) do not, so remember that a thank you card it appreciated by all. If you don’t have time to do so, then even an email is fine. And, by all means let the faculty know the outcome. If you would like to see my handout, please drop me an email. Happy to share it.

One of the ways that most faculty ring in the upcoming New Year is with copious amounts of letter writing. This morning I finally finished the last batch of one dozen letters of reference for graduate school and other important opportunities for current and former students. I have come to realize that I enjoy this process. My policy is to say yes to students who have earned a B+ or better in my courses.

Some of my colleagues write letters for students who have had two or more courses or only earned an A- or better. Given that so many of our courses are taught by contingent faculty it might be hard for a student to get two classes with the same instructor. And, knowing that some students “take one for the team” in one class, I know that in four short months I might not see a students best work. Instead, I might see the best that they can do at that particular moment. I usually find out the full story during my office hours. This helps me understand what is going on for the student, but I cannot let this information change my overall assessment of the work.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for these students. So many of them have so much promise and I hope that their dreams are answered with their want to attend grad school, art school, architecture school and more. Good luck! Happy to help you out with this next chapter.

I have been thinking lots about the Victoria (#yyj) Twitter Hashtag #localbizfirst. We were in Costco the other day and I walked quickly past the books. I can certainly download books to my #Kindle or go to the library. But, I had looked at the #YaLit books and knew that I have some stuff on hold at a local, children’s bookstore, Tall Tales Books. I am trying to frequent local businesses for meals and other things. It’s really hard to do so for some things. There is nothing like going into a shop and knowing the owners and having a quick conversation about books, coffee, or politics.

But, I will give my plug for putting my money into local businesses and the local economy. This post might be too late for Christmas shopping, but think about where you will spend your Boxing Day money. Better yet, make a resolution to shop locally in 2011!

I just posted a blog post on http://www.equality101.net http://equality101.net/?p=2484#more-2484. My post is about reflecting on the term. And, I realized that there is more that I would like to say. Some of my best memories this term were during my office hours:

when students discussed or came to the decision that they wanted to major in Political Science

when students realized what the main point of a reading was or made connections to other readings

when students realized that their mark was fair

when students left my office and noted that they felt better about their academic career (the class or progress in the major)

Overall, there were countless positive moments during my office hours. I actually do look forward to the office hours. I find these precious moments allow me an opportunity to listen and mentor. I’ve previously discussed office hours and know that they continue as an important part of my “face” time with students.

Another important point to this semester was knowing when to ask for help from the Chair of the department of other offices on campus. The Chair and colleagues across campus have been supportive in different, albeit interesting situations. I do believe that during this lucky 13th year of teaching I have seen it all. I’m lucky to work at a great institution and have made friends with colleagues across departments and offices.

Honestly, what a term! Can’t wait (well, I do need the break) for the next one!

Young Adult  (YA) Literature as a genre is not new; however, its popularity has sustained the weakening publishing market. The  YA genre has kept many a publisher in the black, as the genre has a wide crossover appeal. Frankly, we have witnessed the genre balloon during the last ten years. Many have thanked J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter Series for this. I thank her for the great series and more.

I never really stopped reading YA lit. I think I dove into the genre more so once my eldest daughter became interested in the genre. Here my interest was really two-fold: my love of reading and want to discuss literature with her. Win-win. However, as an educator I have to say that I have found YA lit useful in the classroom. The genre has politics, gender, class, race, sexuality, nation, democracy and more discussed within its pages. And, the students really enjoy re-reading a book with a different theoretical lens. I have also had a chance to meet new people online and in real life (IRL) and have had great conversations about YA lit.

In my Women’s Studies and Political Science courses, I have actually offered a paper option that required students to read pre-approved YA Lit books and discuss course concepts in the books. Depending on the class, these assignments have been popular. The best part for me is the assessment of the assignment and reading how a student has reassessed a much-loved book in a different fashion and has a different feel for the book. How cool is that?

I cancelled one of my classes this week. Instead, I am offering office hour consultations during the scheduled class time. Today I had a line up of students waiting to chat about papers, other assignments, and even fielded undergraduate advising questions. In that short hour, I was again reminded how much I enjoy my job. I had long conversations about the course materials, Political Science, and gender. I cannot help but think, “I get paid to do this!”

Seriously, I know that I am in position of privilege to get paid to talk, think, read, and write. Now, it’s not lots of money, but I do eek out a living working with some really great students. Some of the students will come to the university ready and others need mentoring.

These last two weeks I have held more office hours in order to help meet student demand. Assignment due dates are coming up and there are more questions. I have a few words of advice for students coming to office hours.

1. Come with paper to write on and a pencil or pen to write with.

2. Bring your course folder or at the very least your course syllabus.

3. If you have questions about a graded assignment, please bring the assignment with you.

4. If you haven’t read the syllabus, please don’t tell me that! Review it before you enter my office.

5. Be prepared to wait. The wait might be 2 minutes for 20. I never turn away students and my office hours regularly go 10-20 minutes over the scheduled time.

6. Understand that you will have my undivided attention and that even if there is a line up–I will not rush you.

7. Remember that faculty and teaching assistants must hold office hours–we get paid to do this, so please don’t think that somehow you are inconveniencing me. I am here to help.

8. Breathe. I know that the first time you’re in my office–it might be a little intimidating.

9. Please remember that most of your profs have as many as 300 students in a term and have administrative duties. We aren’t inflexible when it comes to meeting to you–just really busy.

I think the above 9 points sum up the things I was thinking of during the last two weeks.

Prof. A

Yesterday I attended my third or fourth graduation ceremony at my workplace. I was part of the faculty procession. My motivation for attending the event is really about the students. I enjoy supporting them on this day of closure and celebration. It is also really great to shake hands, give hugs, and meet parents. While I sit on the stage with the other faculty and distinguished guests, I think about each student who walks by. I do have memories of each.

Some of the memories vary from: quite student, studious student, great sense of humor, slacker, to this is just the first of many graduations for this student. This year for whatever reason there were lots of faculty in the procession. There have been previous years when the Dean has had to send out one of those emails reminding us to participate.

I was also privileged to be in the audience when special degrees were awarded to Dr. Lorna Marsden. Where to begin. She is definitely a feminist advocate to women’s rights in Canada. Her list of accomplishments and awards are many. She is an academic, feminist, former Member of Parliament, and all around jill-of-all-trades. I cannot think of another American woman who is similar, but nonetheless, I am hopeful that Marsden’s attendance at the event will spur similar activism and ambition in our new graduates. I did hear one mother tell her daughter, you might be the next Marsden!

I look forward to the June graduation ceremonies.