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.

Happy Thanksgiving

Welcome to Black Friday! Yesterday was the day we all sat around the table, ate as much food as possible and expressed those things for which we were thankful (and a Happy Thanksgiving to all). Today officially starts the Christmas season, or perhaps I should say “Traditionally” starts the season as merchandisers have been moving up the date the season begins.

Still, today is the day one can find certain sales and deals (some of which will last). The 511 Tactical is one place people can look for various items. They look to provide items that exceed the needs of their customers, with functional innovations, while delivering exceptional quality. It might be worth checking out their merchandise.

Where Has The Time Gone?

On Tuesday, I will be returning to class following the Thanksgiving recess (along with, I hope, the rest of the class). As I was checking my syllabus to see what I had left to cover, I found it amazing to realize that there are only four more class sessions—three of which are for final speeches. Where has the time gone?

Somehow it felt like I had more than this. Somehow, it felt like those students who had missed a speech had more time to make it up. While some of the reasons are legitimate, students better be prepared to speak when we come back and hope I can squeeze in the speech because it is going to be tight. If they are not ready to speak when I call on them (if I can swing it), they will not be getting credit for the speech.

Still, this is a good class and I think the majority of people will be able to make up the work. This is one of those classes that I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching.

Acting Ethically

I am currently discussing persuasive speaking with one of my classes. I let them know that within persuasive speaking, the emotional appeal is very powerful. After all, many of us do things when others try to make us feel guilty. I also explain, however, that it is important to do this in an ethical manner, otherwise you may get what you want in the short run but pay the price in the long run.

A new website, Report Phone Numbers, is trying to help. I know I get calls from companies and they do not take “no” for an answer. You end up having to hang-up on them. Report Phone Numbers allows people to post reactions to certain phone numbers on line so you can see how companies act and if people are acting ethically.

Hoping For The Best

I had high hopes that my trick worked to reel in my talkative class and get them to pay attention. After telling them I would raise the grades by half a letter if behavior shaped up, the next class session things improved dramatically. After that, the following session was slightly better than things had been. At this point, it is back to what it had been.

I doubt that I am going to be able to fully reel them back in but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. The main thing is, I need to plan on each one lasting for one to two sessions and then move on to something new. I am willing to try and see what happens. I do not hold out as much hope as I once did but maybe I will be pleasantly surprised.

How Old Are You Anyway?

I was in class yesterday and my students were teasing me about my old age. Right on cue, I needed to read something and had to take my eyeglasses off to be able to read it—and I wear bifocals. Wow, did the students really let me have it then, teasing me about my age. It was all in good fun but I did relate to what they were saying. For years, I never would have needed to take off glasses to read something up close.

Even though I wear bifocals, I find they do not help me with reading. As a result, while the doctor says I should use them, I do not want to spend a lot of money for the different things I now need in glasses. The truth is, I wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money anyway but now, if I am getting things I should have but don’t se them that much, I am looking to cut down on the cost.

I recently learned of Optical4less. You can get antireflective coating for free. You can find eyeglasses for under 15 dollars. They even have a virtual try-on system. It is nice to know there are ways to save money and find what you need when looking for eyeglasses.