I am a pedagogue, so there

[jawnbc]

Yeth, itth twoo.

Term started here last week, but last week's classes were the administrative love-ins required as of late. Review the fooking course outline, since apparently students can't be compelled--or expected--to read the fooking things. Yes, spelling, grammar, usage, syntax and overall quality of writing "count." Sheesh. The course I'm teaching (2 sections) is The Analysis of Education, or my own subtitle: why you can be as racist, sexist, classist and homophobic in your own lives but not in schools (and here's how not to be). It's warm, it's fuzzy, it's counter-hegemonic.

But today was the fun part: social theory 101. In 50 minutes I touch upon rationalism, positivism, constructivism, liberalism, Marxism, feminisms, post-modernism, post-structuralism, and the Frankfurt School. All served piping hot with a side of meritocracy. Were I totally self deluded I could claim to see the light coming on in their eyes. In reality their eyes looked more like spinning slot machines wheels. Which isn't a bad thing.

I'm done for the day and done in as well. Last night I vowed to avoid sleep aids of any sort and slept a mere 5 hours. Plus it always takes at least a fortnight to adjust to standing so much. Soon I'll toddle home to East Van, make a cuppa and perhaps run a hot bath.

But I need also say I love teaching. I can't think of a better way to spend my time. It enriches me, its results are often tangible and I get to meet a whack of interesting folks. Beats the hell out of my previous job: travel agent.

Comments

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

Oooh, social theory 101. Ooh baby.

There was a LOT I loved about teaching. Sigh. I do miss it sometimes. Mainly, I liked the chance to get paid to yak at young minds. It way pissed me off that so many of them thought it was too much to bear to read the syllabus or write in complete sentences.

You're my hero. Seriously. Less seriously: I need a catch-up on the Frankfurt School, which is a regrettable gap in my knowledge. If you weren't saving up to go visit Max, I'd suggest naked remedial theory sessions.

[jawnbc]

ah but Habermas and full frontal nudity? Bad mix. Marcuse perhaps, Horkheimer no way.

But anything but Barthes, pleasure this po-mo wankstah! I see you text and I discursively raise you, but diffusely. Call me post-structural.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

I'm jealous of these kids. They get to have you as a teacher. It's against the order of things, if you ask me. If they don't savor the experience, I will discipline and punish them. I want the hawt furry professor!

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

i love teaching too! (although the subject matter is a bit different *wing chun*) i love that i get to meet and interact with people from all walks of life. our academy has a very stricy non discrimination policy, which makes it even more of a pleasure. :-)

[jawnbc]

teaching is fun, and non-discrimination is excellent! I didn't know you teach!

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

i've been teaching for three years now. i studied full time for two years before that so i could be a C1V certificate qualified instructor. and for three years before that trained up to five times a week in practical classes. it took me a little by suprise how i progressed to being a full wing chun focussed student. there is talk of a diploma course next year (exciting) and maybe even one day a degree in wing chun instruction. our master is slowly trying to make it all happen. very unusual man. the courses run by the academy are all government accredited, which means australian students can apply for government funded study aid $, and overseas students can apply for study visas to study wing chun. very cool!

part of being a student is naturally to teach junior students. again and again i re-study what i have learned through their keen questions and practice.

i get a lot out of teaching. i consider it a great privilege. :-)

[puzzld1.livejournal.com]

But I need also say I love teaching. I can't think of a better way to spend my time. It enriches me, its results are often tangible and I get to meet a whack of interesting folks. Beats the hell out of my previous job: travel agent.


Although I am a peds OT not a teacher, and substitute travel agent for social worker, this really sums it up.

Your students are blessed!

[jawnbc]

as are, no doubt, your clients...or they will be when you're back at work?

[dacubsf.livejournal.com]

I wish I had had a teacher as WOOFY as you in school.. But then again. My grades probably would have been really, really bad. I wouldn't have been paying much attention to the course

[querrelle.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you'd have been very eager to please!

[art-thirst.livejournal.com]

My classes have started off relatively well. However, with the way the drop/add goes on for two weeks I have students that don't have any idea what they're doing and others right on top of assignments. Makes for a bad mix. This past Monday as class started and I tried to get the darkroom going about 6 or more individual students started asking their questions. Even before I could fully answer one, a different would butt in with a question. Apparently they could sense my frustration but went to the dept. chair saying I was rude to them. Stuff like that eats me up 'cause I wasn't. However, their perception has to be taken into account.

Teaching the same class to two different groups of students and things seem so different between the two classes is my current reality.