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{{ | {{EntryHead |date=20250305 |desc=Sometimes, I’m reminded why teaching matters.}} | ||
{{dc|T}}{{start|oday, while my 1102 students}} were turning in their essays, a student from one of my ENGL 1101 sections last fall rushed into the room and said, “You are a hard guy to find.” I think I laughed and apologized. I recognized her immediately: she was one of my more conscientious students and made that section of composition easier to teach. She continued: “My 1102 instructor said that you made me a good writer!” | {{dc|T}}{{start|oday, while my 1102 students}} were turning in their essays, a student from one of my ENGL 1101 sections last fall rushed into the room and said, “You are a hard guy to find.” I think I laughed and apologized. I recognized her immediately: she was one of my more conscientious students and made that section of composition easier to teach. She continued: “My 1102 instructor said that you made me a good writer!” | ||
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Latest revision as of 17:08, 29 March 2025
Today, while my 1102 students were turning in their essays, a student from one of my ENGL 1101 sections last fall rushed into the room and said, “You are a hard guy to find.” I think I laughed and apologized. I recognized her immediately: she was one of my more conscientious students and made that section of composition easier to teach. She continued: “My 1102 instructor said that you made me a good writer!”
I smiled, “Well, thank you, but you did the work.”
“Yes, but I didn’t appreciate the challenge of your class at the time,” she said. “You pushed me like no other teacher has ever done. I hated you and loved you at the same time. I just wanted to say thank you. I still talk about you with other members of the class to this day!”
“Thank you for your effort and commitment. I’m happy to hear you’re doing well.” We chatted a bit longer before she had to get to class.
This sort of thing is a true rarity these days, and it makes teaching worth it. I used to get it more often, but now students just seem to resent my being critical and challenging. Still, it’s for students like this that make the job worthwhile.