Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Back in the Saddle

After fifteen, er... maybe closer to sixteen, months of not teaching, I gathered up my books and papers and headed into a classroom today. My voice is certainly not in condition, especially for a three hour class, and I only made it through 45 minutes before the scratching at the back of my throat began. Other than that, I seemed to remember what I was doing. I learned a few names (that I will forget again before next week), got them to talk, made a few laugh, and none of them (yet) took me to task for the outrageous cost of the books I asked them to buy.

I'm thinking that my six hours in the classroom each week this term may very well become my refuge from being department chair. Here's why...

Tally from the first two days in the big corner office:

memos with incorrect information distributed: 1 out of 1
poorly worded e-mails: 2 out of 5
icky political situations I'll need to dodge: 2
complaints about my colleagues that I need to deal with: 3

4 comments:

ypsipearl said...

Wow, sounds like fun! I think I get to wipe other people's butts this semester. Woohoo!

Anonymous said...

as you venture back into the world of teaching and the newness of department conflict resolution, i wish you much luck and many laughs.

Anonymous said...

My voice is going too...4+ hours of straight talking (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th hours and lunch).

I didn't realize that you spent less classroom time when you are the chair. You OK with that? I love the classroom and would be irritated.

Speaking of wiping butts, one of the kids got shit all over himself today. Wheeee....

Andre said...

My voice held up pretty well over the course of the last two days, but I don't have that Department Chair stuff to deal w/. Have fun. It's such a great oppritunity for you.