This week's big thirsty. Just under the wire. From Nick.
Q: My colleague always brags about her evals and how popular she is with students. This means she's a soft touch, a people pleaser, and probably a useless teacher, right?
Like EC1, I'd be more worried about the bragging than her actual popularity (or lack thereof) with students. Needing approval (from students, colleagues, or both) is not a position of strength, and teaching effectively takes more than a bit of strength (which some people have, and exercise, and are popular with students anyway -- more power to them).
A: It means she's insecure as all fuck. It means she's K-T from Cali Mizzou. Or she's Wensleydale from my department, with student evals that positively correlate with student outcomes in follow-on courses (i.e., both bad, but it doesn't stop the bragging).
RIGHT. I WEAR THEIR SCORN AS A BADGE OF HONOR. (Twitch! TWITCH!!)
The faculty member here who wouldn't stop bragging about his here had a thick, German accent and the air of a child molester about him. Thank Doug almighty he's retired.
I have a colleague who bragged (gently) about her 85% "success" rate in her transfer comp courses. A librarian I trust implicitly asked my friend why high success prof's students were virtually illiterate. Low standards, ya think?
Not necessarily, but the bragging aspect makes me think she might be.
ReplyDeleteI know some truly excellent teachers, with everything your colleague says she has, and they are always looking to improve, not score points or boast.
How does she do on a standard exam given by other faculty in your department? That's what matters most.
ReplyDeleteLike EC1, I'd be more worried about the bragging than her actual popularity (or lack thereof) with students. Needing approval (from students, colleagues, or both) is not a position of strength, and teaching effectively takes more than a bit of strength (which some people have, and exercise, and are popular with students anyway -- more power to them).
ReplyDeleteA: It means she's insecure as all fuck. It means she's K-T from Cali Mizzou. Or she's Wensleydale from my department, with student evals that positively correlate with student outcomes in follow-on courses (i.e., both bad, but it doesn't stop the bragging).
ReplyDeleteFor those who haven't been here as long as certain others and are not "in" on the joke,
DeleteA bit of Kay Tea
A bit more
How Wensleydale sees himself
How others see him
.
A person may be defined by who their enemies are, and our enemies are simply fantastic.
DeleteRIGHT. I WEAR THEIR SCORN AS A BADGE OF HONOR. (Twitch! TWITCH!!)
ReplyDeleteThe faculty member here who wouldn't stop bragging about his here had a thick, German accent and the air of a child molester about him. Thank Doug almighty he's retired.
Brags about her evals? *shudder*
ReplyDeleteAt least she doesn't gloat about her chili pepper on The Site That Shall Not Be Named? I hope?
This is why I like CM.
ReplyDeleteI have a colleague who bragged (gently) about her 85% "success" rate in her transfer comp courses. A librarian I trust implicitly asked my friend why high success prof's students were virtually illiterate. Low standards, ya think?
ReplyDelete