Tonight was my last fall orientation for Public Speaking Bootcamp. In the bootcamp I teach my entire 3 credit speech class in two weekends and an orientation evening. I was wondering last week when I'd started teaching this course but didn't get around to reviewing my H.R. files.
I DID, however, find the print out of an old email from back in 1999 in my files. It was sent in January. I no longer teach the weekend courses in the winter quarter because heavy snows can make the college inaccessible, as I learned one year when I had to cancel and get an entire class to commit to a different weekend later in the quarter.
The email, sent by a student named Susayn (a name I can no longer put a face to) wrote about some of the issues she was facing with group work as someone living in Prineville. She ends with this paragraph:
"One more thing before I go . . . I felt great leaving the weekend workshop. there seemed to be a real connection of people over a short period of time. Sometimes in a class there is no connection. Sometimes it seems like you don't even know everyone's name. I think the way you set up the introductions had a positive impact on the mood of the class. . . I want to say thanks, and I wish all instructors would take the time to do this."
It's always nice to get positive feedback from a student, even if one must always take any kindness from someone over whom one has economic power (the power of the grade) with a grain of salt.
1 comment:
Great posts, dude. Thanks!
Just got an email from a former student that (partially) said this:
"On another note, there were a few professors I've always wanted to let know that they are very good at what they do but it seems like a hollow gesture while still taking a class." He then went on to tell me some very nice things (that I paid his well to say. :) )
I guess I just wonder - how many are like him? Or Susayn?
Talk soon, dude!
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