Thursday, May 21, 2015

The Last Stretch

The last few weeks of class is always just as hard as the first few weeks. It's stressful with the students that are near the bottom of the class. Trying to catch up students that have struggled the whole time, or who saved most things to the last minute is a drag. 
 
I just like things to run fairly smooth. Last week, and the week before all major projects were due. 

I have one student in my first year class that is bright and gifted. He hardly shows up to class, and shifts most assignments to be what he wants them to be. Guidelines go out the window. His ego is too strong. That happens a lot with artists. Some artists know they are good, and refuse to conform to what's needed to really get the job done. I hate that an A quality student is getting D's from me. It is what it is.

I have another student in first year that begged me for extra credit last week. I had some that I had already given out. I reminded him of that extra credit. Then I said, "Really what would help the most for your grade is getting your main projects in." 40 points extra for going to an art movie is nothing compared to the 100 points for getting this illustration in, and another 100 points for getting that illustration in. 
 
I have a third year student that spins his wheels. I really think that he's working, but he hardly gets things turned in. Then when things get time sensitive he wants to turn in things that are half done to receive some credit. Well that works in some cases I suppose. With a website I kind of need it working to grade it. Especially at that level. He was pissed at me. I could see the fire behind his eyes when I said that I wouldn't grade his website that is 2 weeks late, and is 1/2 done. He was mad that our web guy wasn't here to help him. I reminded him that it was supposed to be done 2 weeks ago. He's still not passing.

At college level I'm not for the No Child Left Behind policy. If they don't do the work that everyone else is getting done, then that's on them. I try. Trust me I try to get them caught up. I printed out every critique sheet, every handout, and every grade slip they were missing to give to them at the beginning of the week. I think they want a passing grade just handed to them. That's not how I roll. You kind of need to work for a degree. 
 
I've been unpopular the last few weeks with a select group of students. I'm ok with that. I'm not going to lie, it's stressful being unpopular. 
 
I had one instructor say to me, "Would you rather teach them during the summer?" Quite franky the answer is, "Not really for my sake, but if they deserve it then yes for their sake." No one wants to keep negativity around them. My job as a college instructor is to make sure they can get a job when they are done with college. If they can't get my assignments done, then they shouldn't be passing my class.
 
How do you feel about about the No Child Left Behind policy? Obviously I teach college level, but that mentality from those younger grades move on up to upper levels of education.


5 comments:

~ Noelle said...

I agree with not passing them. I mean think about it, they pass your class.. get a job and look stupid, it will reflect on you as well, since you passed them. (At least that is what I think)

Eat To Live said...

Artist or not they need to learn to follow the rules. In this world everyone has rules.

Ai Sakura said...

I think you're doing right as a teacher. If they can't meet the standard, they shouldn't be allowed to pass and move on. It won't do them any good in the long run.

In the "real" world, handing in late or shoddy work will never fly. And kids gotta learn that, especially when they should be old enough to understand at college level.

Ai @ Sakura Haruka

Masshole Mommy said...

At the college level, they are on their own. If they don't want to do the work, they shouldn't pass. By that age, they are adults and know better.

Theresa Mahoney said...

I think at their age, they should be doing the work or they fail. If they don't do the work in real life, they get fired. You don't work, you don't eat. That's the name of the game.

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