After reading Academic Monkey's post on holiday gifts for teachers during office hours, I started to think about what I'd like to get from my students. The thank you notes/emails everyone mentioned seemed good to me.
Then two of my Public Speaking students came to my office. They needed to interview a professor in their major and they chose me. They asked a few questions, we talked about the major, different classes to take, different focuses they could choose from. It was generally very nice. I was excited to talk about Communications and they seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say.
Then, as they went to leave, they gave me a gift I will cherish.
We were ending our conversation, talking about the other classes they were taking. Student 1 said, "We had to do presentations in one of our other classes. And ours were so much better than everyone else's."
Student 2 chimed in, "We took what we've learned in your class so far and applied it to the presentations we did in our other class. It made giving the presentation so much easier and the professor said ours were some of the best of the class. What we've learned in your class really helped us out!"
I imagine my face lit up like a Christmas tree.
Not only were these students paying attention, they understood what I'd been trying to teach them to the point where they applied it outside my classroom. And they recognized the value of the course.
After they thanked me for taking the time for them to interview me, they left. I haven't stopped smiling since.
It's gratifying when students like my classes. It's even more gratifying when they realize that what I teach has value outside of my specific courses. I know how you feel. Savor it. For all my bitching (and there's a lot of it) about my students, I have never once taught a class in which I did not have a few students whom I really enjoyed teaching. Sometimes, though, I need to be reminded of that fact.
ReplyDeleteGosh, Chloe. For all my cynicism, I have to agree: what a wonderful gift! Envious of your day.
ReplyDeleteChloe, I too am a bit envious.
ReplyDeleteBut not of your gift, but that I didn't go ahead and share one of a similar nature I received today. (Didn't feel I had the time anonymify the Email! :) )
In essence however, it was a thank you note (pre-final exam, mind you!) from a student who wanted me to know that my class encouraged her to stop taking information at face value and to take the extra time to understand the source and be alert for any bias or challenges to validity.
I believe I too was beaming like a holiday star.
Ironic, because at their last class session, I informed them that due to their inactivity this term -- and (sshhh) some suggestions from CM folk -- I will be adding an actual participation grade next term.
Still, it was nice to know at least one person had their lights on during the last semester!
Deep down I kinda like it when I student in distress comes to me for help. I don't mean help in the course. I mean more like the tragic stuff happening in life and they don't know what to do.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of a pain in the neck in that I have to do something about it (call our health services) and delve in to my tissue stash. But it means that they feel like I'm a "safe" person. That they don't view me as the emeny but someone who can help them.
Once a student came to me worried about a presentation she had to give. That was sort of a compliment since she apparently liked my classroom presence and presentation. I always feel ackward up there talking in front of students and people. Her presence in my office basically told me that how I feel I look up there is not what the students see. Christmas came early that year!
That's terrific!
ReplyDelete