My Colleagues

I don't want to come off as overly schmaltzy, but I would like to thank Jade and Jessica for helping two of my students who were in a really dark place. Thanks for being so generous with your time and for being authentic and caring. I know my students are grateful that you took the time.

The sweet kids

Every class I have had so far (a whopping total of one completed and two in process) has had a certain type of student that I find the most difficult to teach-The sweet kid who tries really hard but is a godawful writer. I can take variations of this type-bad writers who were not sweet or did not try hard were easy to handle (Fail). Ok writers who tried hard and improved-Cs to As. But continuously giving Ds to a really nice kid who comes to my office every week and emails me trying to get help bothers me. I find myself wanting to pass them even if they have not hit the C level quality of work. I have fought against the urge, but I do think I passed one person last semester who really should not have passed. I feel more experienced now (I know I am still a total newbie though).
I suppose it bothers me the most because it makes me feel like a horrid teacher. If a student is putting in the effort-coming to your office, multiple drafts of each paper, emailing thesis statements, coming to every class-and STILL not improving then I cannot help but think it reflects back on you more than them. But, I suppose I am a work in progress as well and all I can do is try to become a better teacher. I never give up on these kids and am always patient to try to explain things many different ways and give many different examples and read through any rough material they already have written. I have asked for advice from multiple other teachers. I suppose, ultimately, I will also have to accept that some kids just will not get it no matter how much time and explanations you give them. That not every kid is going to be able to understand how to create a sophisticated thesis or carry and develop an intelligent argument for a 5-6 page paper.

I suppose I just needed somewhere to vent-I just got another email from my sweet but terrible writer kid and I am desperately trying to search for a way to explain why her thesis statement possibilities are only D or C level still in a way that will improve her abilities.

Congratulations to Our Very Own Apple Award Winner

That's right people! 

Everyone be sure to congratulate Kristen Raymond for being so awesome. According to the Sunday Edition of The Times Georgian, our Mrs. Kristen was named December's Teacher of the Month for her outstanding work at Bowdon High School. According to the Times:

Kristen developed a leadership team and planned a tutorial program to prepare all juniors [for the high school graduation examinations] and to target those juniors deemed "at risk." With her enthusiasm and leadership these first time junior test takers passed at a rate of 98%. 

This is unheard of in public schools people. So, BIG UPS to our girl.

I'm Not Yo Mamma!

Inevitably at some point in the semester, I realize that a student or two are attempting to engage me in some sort of parent-child dynamic. I think that this stems from my being female, although I suspect that male teachers might encounter this type of behavior, as well. You know the kind of thing I'm talking about: the back-and-forth push-pull over assignments that students try to elicit from teachers. It is at a certain point when the familiarity of these situations sets in, and I recognize these as echoes of dealing with my teenagers not too many years back.

I usually can count on that built-in governor, that shrill sound inside my head that screams, "Nooooo! Not again!!" Last semester, I didn't know how to deal with it in a consistent way. I think they took me by surprise. This time 'round, I feel that I have a handle on it a little better, though I admit that their creativity knows no bounds, and they will search for yet another way to make me their mamma. It is then that I will remind them that they're someone else's little cherubs.

Keep Smiling

Five weeks down, which means five weeks closer to summer vacation. You're almost there! Once you've read and written copious comments on four more sets of first-year papers, put on an undergraduate conference for 253 students, written two twenty page papers (or a thesis), and graded 1,136 bluebook essays, it's time to slather on some sunscreen and hit the beach. The first round of pina coladas is on me.

You all are totally cool for doing this. What a great idea that will become a great resource for all current and future TAs. Thank you all, multiple McFarlands each one.--Jane Hill

Procrastination

The past few days, I've been thinking about some of of my unproductive thinking that manifests in some of my unproductive behaviors, such as putting off writing, reading, or what-have-you. I just found a quote by William James that I find quite relevant to my situation:

"There is nothing so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task."

Today I start work (for real, this time . . . really) on the introduction of my thesis.

Welcome to The Ledge

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the University of West Georgia's English Graduate Teaching Assistant Blog, or "The Ledge," as it shall henceforth be known.

(because the thought of typing "the University of West Georgia's English Graduate Teaching Assistant Blog" every single time I post something makes me want to go ahead and just jump)

And that would be counter-productive, since the purpose of this blog is to keep us, the Graduate Teaching Assistants, from jumping. 

Our goal in this blog is to create a space where we can talk about things like grade norming, Hocs and Locs, responding to students, and facilitating discussions in the classroom. If it is successful, this blog will also become a collection of information, suggestions, advice, etc..., that will help future graduate teaching assistants feel less alone and overwhelmed. 

Think of it as a time capsule for really, really cool people.