Friday, February 17, 2006

We interrupt this hiatus...

…to say that next year there should definitely be more time for blogging because I’ll be teaching a 2/2 load.  Woo-hoo!  But it’s not just the load I’m excited about, although that is a reason to cheer, and not just because it means more time for research. I’m a better teacher when I teach 2; I’m always exhausted, hungry, and frequently unclear in one class when I’m teaching 3.  What I’m also excited about is the reason for the course load reduction:  I’m going to be one of our two undergraduate advisors starting next year.  The other one is also an assistant professor, and I think we’re both hoping to get a better sense of our program as a whole and make it clearer and more coherent for the students.  Let’s hear it for new blood, idealism, and energy!  I’m planning on announcing these personnel changes to my students now and urging them to see an advisor regularly through their studies – at least once a year – so the advisor can help them design the best major for their particular needs and goals (whether it’s secondary education, post-graduate studies, career plans, or whatever).  Our students aren’t required to see an advisor until they need to get ready for graduation, and that’s just wrong.

Anyway, I’m hoping to blog a LOT about all of this next year, but I also hope to return to regularly scheduled blogging long before then, as well.

8 comments:

Ancrene Wiseass said...

Congrats, Dr. V!

Anonymous said...

That is good news! One of the things that St. Martyr's actually does well is student advising; every student sees his or her advisor every single semester, and I think that they do have a better experience in the major because of that. (Of course, the unfortunate piece of this system, now that I think about it, is that the work of advising gets spread out to every faculty member, and no one gets a course release for it. Hmmm.) Anyway, I hope that you enjoy the experience and that your English majors have a better experience as well.

Chaser said...

Horray!!! Congratulations.

Bardiac said...

Congrats!!! That just rocks!

Anonymous said...

Whoa! Now you'll have time to go bird hunting!

Anonymous said...

PS If you use your bow and arrow you won't pepper anybody.

Anonymous said...

Belatedly - congrats! Don't let yourself get sucked into the young-female-faculty-administrative-trap, though! But I know exactly what you mean - I always feel I'm a better teacher when I'm teaching less!

Dr. Virago said...

Thanks everyone (especially to New Kid for the word of caution)!

And isn't my bro just hilarious?! :) I do have a bow, btw -- or at least I used to.

See y'all again when I climb out from under my mess o' obligations.