An educated mind is an opened mind. An opened mind is a liberal mind. Teachers don't have to intend to create liberals, it happens naturally.
On the inside:
Me, working on my tenure file. I have to write about why I deserve to have tenure. I'll be posting bits and pieces, rough drafts, as it were, about my philosophy of teaching, being a life-long student, the tenure process itself, service, scholarship, and whatever else comes to mind.
The question of spouses in education
Whatever you want to talk about. It's your space. Almost anything you want to discuss that is related to teaching or learning or education is fair game.
The door is open...
I've been avoiding work on my tenure file, which is not good. Wednesday it occurred to me that I had the wrong persective. I was like the student who looks at the book when you want them to look you in the eye. I wrote the following during Cheers and Jeers:
Cheers to developing a larger perspective on presenting myself to the tenure committee. Okay, some sometimes I'm a little slow with the obvious, but hey, don't ask how late I got to the party, be happy I got here.
Screw telling them what they want to hear. What they ultimately want to know is who the hell I am and what I am doing with my life. So I'll tell them.
Hi, I'm Robyn. I'm a student. I've been a student so long they started calling me a professor at some point. I'm still learning. And here is my goal. I'm making a multimedia pastiche.
I'm Robyn and I have a gift for explaining how things work. I have explained how math works. I was an algebraist. You guys caught me when I was needing to learn the programming piece. So I am explaining how to program to our students. You want me to explain how to make art or how to write prose or poetry, I'll do that. I'll even toss in the occasional gender class if you would like. And I'm lending Women's Studies a hand because I believe in it, plus I'm co-coordinating our Gay/Non-gay Alliance and taking the notes at faculty meetings. What else do you want to know?
The question of spouses
My partner is currently an applicant for an open position in the education division at the college at which I teach. We first met when we were in different colleges at the University of Central Arkansas, before we moved to New Jersey and went to work for separate institutions. She's been adjuncting in the area for the past several years, in multiple disciplines, but really deserves to be working full-time somewhere. There is an issue here if someone wants to discuss it: it's about spouses getting positions at the same institution (or not).
I'll be hanging around most of the day, actively waiting for your comments (actually, I'll be at home grading stuff and preparing classes), so at least one person will be here to discuss whatever anyone wants to discuss.
The Not-so-many Rules
No general bashing of administrators, politicians, etc, just on general principles. If you want to bash them, have a point and a plan.No bitching about students unless your talking about what you are going to do to alleviate the problems you think the students have.Introductions are encouraged, but not essential.I have no investment in hosting the Teacher's Lounge. If someone else thinks they can and wants to do it better, cool. I just want the space. And not for teachers only, but respecting the general theme of teaching and learning.Teacher's Lounge can be "slow blogging" if you want it to be. You don't get quality writing if you demand velocity. It doesn't have to be the case that something posted today is dead by tomorrow. I would like it to eventually be up and active 24/7, but that may have to wait until I have developed an independent blog site.Every Saturday I'll post a clean slate, between 10am and 11am EST.