I also teach
Published on Nov 9, 2007 at 1:19 pm.
3 Comments.
Filed under college teaching.
I am a college professor. I used to think that meant that I was supposed to teach. But, this week, I have spent time in meetings, time planning meetings, time preparing for meetings, and talking about meetings. I also have forms to fill out, and reports to write.  There is a lot of book keeping to do. At my institution, we are required to take attendance.  Then, we have to enter that online. I can’t figure out why, since grades are not based on attendance and no action is ever taken if someone chooses not to show up to class. It is just extra work. All of this is administrivia that just takes up time that I could be using to do other, more important, things.Â
 I have papers to write, and things to research. I need to keep current in my field. I have lectures to prepare. We changed textbooks, and I like for the lectures to at least somewhat go along with the book. And, of course there are also papers to grade. Then, there are more papers to grade, and them more papers. Aaargh.
 I also do public outreach activities, so I am helping out with a star party this weekend, and helping to host one next weekend.Â
 And, if I have any time after all of that, then I teach classes. Seriously, my time in the classroom is only part of my job. Most of my time is spent doing administrative things, and as I progress in my career and in rank, the administrative functions increase. I am on faculty committees and an officer in the faculty association (and that means more meetings with administrators). And this week, in particular, the non-educational things seem to take more of my time than the educational ones.
And, of course, students wonder why their professors don’t return graded papers quicker or why they can’t catch their professor in his office whenever they call or drop by. It’s because we are often sitting in a meeting somewhere being bored to tears.  I’d much rather be working with students.
  -Astroprof
profgrrrrl on November 9, 2007 at 4:13 pm: 1
amen.
Seeking Solace on November 10, 2007 at 9:02 am: 2
Yes, preach on.
It really irks me that I can’t focus on teaching excellence.
Tony Wallis on November 14, 2007 at 2:01 am: 3
I chose the retail indusry for my career and walk about four miles a day around a shop. The arthritis in my knees is telling me I should have chosen a profession that requires me to sit around at meetings. Still that was my choice. Im sure you are doing a fine job, you sound like an enthusiastic teacher, of which we could do with more of in this country. Keep up your good work.