midterm grades are posted

16 F's out of 28 students. Only 4 of them have any hope of bringing themselves out. Uh, hard to pass when you've only been to class twice and NEVER turned in a single homework. One of the faculty members today said that if they're borderline (I was afraid to ask the definition of borderline), to pass them and save myself the paperwork. Oh, yes, there's paperwork for giving an F grade. One student got really snippy with an email to me. She said she's been busy and SHE TOLD me she was going to be out. Yes, one day, not FOUR! And?? That's why I gave you the work AHEAD of time TO DO - for the ONE day she was to be out... To put in my box BEFORE class. I still have NOTHING from her and she's pissy with me because she is getting an F???? Uh, sister, get with the program.

I sent a full email to the higher up peeps at the school and was like, look, I'm a new adjunct and may not know the rules, but WTF??? What is funny is that they've already asked me to come teach again....a class I wasn't sure I could fully teach...never took a specific class in this particular area. The guy was like, oh, you'll be fine.... yeah, probably because I only have to teach two chapters in a semester. I said I'd THINK about it. Oh please other job, call me... I cannot continue as an adjunct whore!

ARRGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"If u have the book sense you can apply it to everyday life in tern will help you succeed all across board."

Oh, Lord, please help me. Grant me the patience to grade these papers. Please let me find a job where college is not a place to get free student loan money and there is actually a minimum requirement to enroll.

Another student wrote their midterm paper with bullet points. WTF?

The good, the bad, the ugly....

Interview --- Not sure how it went. They got straight to it introducing the 7 committee members and then right into nailing me with questions. The first was a "two-parter"...but really a three... What are my strengths in a teaching in a traditional classroom and online classroom? And what is my philosophy teaching non-traditional students? Then there were questions about my research interests (which they came back and speficially clarified again, which was odd). Then my dissertation. Then they wanted to know what type of working environment I prefer. Then I asked one question. Then I tried to schmooze by talking about how we've googled maps in the area -- show that I'm really interested in moving. Then they said they were also developing a program in another state....far away...very far away.... I didn't quite know how to respond, so I let it go. It's hard to do these phone interviews. At least in person, you can read body language or see "glances" between the panel. Here it was just boom, boom, boom...shot in the dark. I just don't know. Either my research is highly complimentary or completely off base. I have some things going for me, and some other things that are off what I think they want/need. Who knows. They kept it very formal and to the point. I'm supposed to be notified in a week or so if I made it to the next round. I thought I was going to vomit afterwards. It's over. Move on.

Dissertation - Met with chair today. I'm ready to go. I'm scheduling my hearing in two weeks. Woo-woo...on to the next hoop. (Although each hoop is slightly smaller and tilted just slightly a different way.....) He wants me to start working on my IRB paperwork. Check, check, check. Will do it this weekend.

Key bitch - The keeper of the keys moved to a different dept and now the new keeper of the keys is a total bitch. Well, the old one was too, but I could deal with her better. The new keeper of the keys won't give me a key to open a glass enclosed bulletin board because I'm a "GTA". Uh, yes....a graduate teaching assistant..... as in I am at least in grad school, but more than that, I'm 5 months my my freakin' Ph.D. and you don't trust me with a freakin' key???? "We don't give out keys to GTA's; I'll send someone up". Yes, I'm sitting in my office waiting for an administrative assistant to stand there while I redo a stupid bulletin board. First of all, I cannot believe I'm getting paid to do artwork, and second, I cannot believe I'm being babysat by an admin asst. Whatever....At least the copy lady lets us trade supplies if we leave her something. I give her my really nice stapler (it's awesome, except for bulletin boards) and she gives me her heavy-duty will staple through anything stapler. Or I leave my office keys for the $$$$ paper cutter. Hey, at least we have a deal. All faculty wheels and deals with the copy lady. Not the key bitch. Different rules..... rrrggghhhhh

Tonight's slackers....

One family surgery, one mom with a stroke (okay, I do think this one is real and I feel bad), one flat tire, one flu, one ran out of gas, one family emergency, one family not being supportive of me returning to school, and two with no emails, calls, or text messages..... No I am NOT joking.   Oh, please, oh, please, let me go back to teaching master's students.  They are so much more creative with excuses.....

Get it all out of my head....

I got a call out of the blue from a large university for a tenure-track position.  I applied back 3 months ago to this generic ad.  I'm so excited I may pee on myself.  It's fairly close - only a few states away.  I have a phone interview tomorrow.  Hubby already making "moving" plans.  Uh, one step at a time, baby, one step at a time.

On another note, what's up with advisor not blogging?  Required for students, and told me I have to do it?!?  Hmmm......

Email from student

I am unable to attend tonights class due to a virus going through my home. It included headache, high fever, and bady ache. I don't want to take any chances of this spreding to anyone else. I had mad share of cleaning up throwup. Please send me any study material that is needed for the next class.