Reflections

As we come to a new year, I often take a moment to reflect on the things that have occurred over the past 12 months. When it comes to teaching, I am very fortunate. Despite getting frustrated with my students at times, I really enjoy it. I am fortunate enough to teach for a community school where they appreciate me. I am lucky enough to teach both on the main campus and at a campus center.

While I would not want to teach all my classes at a campus center, I find the atmosphere more relaxed and find that the staff is always looking to make things easier for those of us who work there. Often times, it is the small, simple things that make a difference, like this past year they purchased some new Vending machines (including a coffee machine that freshly brews individual cups of coffee). And, when they purchased the machines, first they look to get feedback from teachers and students.

I realize they are not in the Vending Machines Business, still it is nice the way they go about it. I would not be surprised, as well, if they did some on-line checking about Vending Companies. It is amazing what you can find on-line and that websites to checkout vending companies do exist.

Working With Me

The way this semester has played out and the way next semester will start, is truly very interesting. Since I teach one class made up of high school seniors, it ends later than the other classes. Italso starts later than the other classes. The class was, however, supposed to end this past Tuesday (12/23).

Due to a death in the family, I needed to cancel a class a week earlier (12/16). The truth is, with the number of student speeches still needed to be given, I really could not afford to cancel a class. Of course, that is the kind of thing you worry about afterwards.

The administration has been great in working with me. They are letting me hold one last class on January 6. This will enable me to get through everything. What makes it so interesting, however, is the little time I will have from one semester to the other. I finish this semester on the 6th and start up again on the 20th.

This makes it a little harder to prepare for the upcoming semester as I like to revise my syllabus and consider various changes during the “downtime”. Still, given the situation, I really have no complaints and appreciate the willingness of everyone to work with me.