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Mr. Hobbes

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Maryland
  • Application Season
    2013 Fall
  • Program
    Urban Planning

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  1. Hi, Heading I'm into my second year and need some advice. Today, I was offered a paid internship from X for the summer--trouble is I'd already accepted a volunteer internship position from Y. I hadn't heard from the HR dept. of X post-follow up and had assumed that I was no longer under consideration, but poof, two months later a job materializes. And it's paid. I feel terrible about the prospect of breaking a verbal contract with Y. They've been great throughout the hiring process and potentially may be interested in employing me down the road. This said, X is innovative, significantly closer to my home (I use public transit so cost difference is substantial), and also pays... Does this letter sound okay? Dear Ms. YYA and Ms. YYB: Yesterday, I received an unexpected paid internship offer from X. I applied for the job quite awhile back this past spring, but hadn’t heard anything after I’d followed up with them and assumed I was no longer under consideration. Unfortunately, the time constraints of this position in concert with my current internship position would bar me from volunteering with Y. After speaking with two mentors about the situation, I think it’s best if I pursue the opportunity with X as it’s paid, closer to home, and aligns directly with my fall studio coursework. I want to assure you that, while I think this course of action is best, I remain uncomfortable with the ethics of this decision, especially because of the time and effort you both have put into the recruitment process. That being said, I want to genuinely thank you and apologize for the inconvenience that I have likely caused. Ideally, I would have kept you and the staff abreast of my summer situation had I been aware that the X opportunity was still on the table. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you feel there’s anything I can do to help mitigate some of the trouble I may have caused. Sincerely, ...
  2. I approach this in a few ways. Every once and awhile when I enter the class, with a few minutes before class starts, I make a point of saying something like "Oh! I have to turn my phone off." This helps hint to kids my expectations without me having to be mean about it. I'm not sure if this strategy would work in a large lecture hall, though. On other occasions, I'll embarrass a goofball for playing games or shopping if I catch them, but in a somewhat nonconfrontational way, saying things like "Woah! You just got the high score? Fantastic!" or "Are you kidding? Those shipping costs are way too high." I've only done that twice and gotten a laugh both times. The kids don't appear too ashamed, but they figrue it out enough to knock it off for a bit. I facilitate a gen-ed discussion section, so I can understand why some of the students drift. They're just fulfilling credits.
  3. Hi, I'm working for a professor this semester who simply does not care. He iis close to retirement. He has no organizational abilities, and his class is lackluster at best. He lectures for 75mins a week, and I guide a discussion section for 75mins a week. The students in my discussion section constantly send me emails with questions and complaints about the class. Frankly, their concerns are justified. When I carefully approach the topics wth him, he simply ignores the concerns. For example, his syllabus lists assignments in two sentences: "Write 250 words about demographic changes in the metropolitan region." When kids ask for further clarification, I send him emails or messages to get his input. He never responds. Then, when I attempt to address the students' concerns and CC him, he'll ammend what I say to something completely different. At the beginning of the semester, I very cautiously hinted that his grading criteria was extremely subjective (e.g. a rubric that includes components like "how interesting" and "demonstrates intelligence"). He didn't give a darn. He always suggests that my co TA and I grade way too softly, but his assignments provide barely any guidance. Recently in his lectures, he's made references to bizarre topics like oral sex and prostitution (with no relaionship to the academic content). He joked about a recent shooting in a nearby mall. He read a "poem" that he had written--really jjst rhyming couplets--about grading students. In the poem, Mary receives a higher grade because she is cute, but Becky receives a low grade because she is "so very fat." This was published in the faculty newspaper. Sure, maybe it's supposed to be a joke, but I sort of assume there have to be people out there who find it offensive. I'm a career changer. I spent five years teaching in an urban public school, and have a masters in teaching. I think I'm a good judge of what is and isn't acceptable instruction. I think I have a fair understanding of what is and is not appropriate in a lecture hall. This has gone on for a few weeks. I'm getting to the point where I don't know if I can take it. The students in the class are visibly angry about grades and course "content". I'm almost sure if they could drop the class and recoup the costs, they would. The professor I worked for last semester is the department head, and I have a good relationship with him. I don't know if this is something I should address with him or not. Part of me wonders if I should just be thankful to be funded, but another part of me recognizes that students are customers. They're paying for this awful class... Then again, this old timer will be retire soon... I think... Advice?
  4. I'm leaving the education profession after five years (inner-city schools, Washington DC), so I suppose you may want to take what I have to say witha grain of salt. I have very mixed opinions about KIPP. They work their teachers hard, which is typically a good thing because it shows the administrators care. Typically most classrooms of the same subject do the same things: you'll plan with your colleagues constantly. Sometimes I get the impression that things can feel a bit scripted at KIPP. This can be a pro or con depending on your own opinion. If you're new, it might be a nice place to grow into the career. States regulate charter schools differently. I know in the District, charter schools can kick out problem children whenever they want. Our local KIPP pushed students out frequently--sometimes right before testing time (hmm, funny that). This puts a huge strain on public school teachers who basically have to accept children deemed less pallatable by charters. Some states have better regulation, though, which could keep this from being an ethical issue for you if you work in the right state. If you're in NYC you may want to check into things. The whole school choice debate is very interesting. I reccommend reading a book called Brown in Baltimore to see how the "free school choice" decision in the 60s still negatively impacts the city today. Whatever you decide, good luck! Teaching in a city school is very rewarding, but also very challenging. KIPP kids are typically successful, so it's probably a good place to land.
  5. How would you pose a status check call without sounding pushy? Any advice?
  6. Do you think directors email "very short waiting list" to signify that they are confident in your chances, or to keep you from feeling bummed about being on a waitlist?
  7. It's tough to know if one is being a nuisance with email. I'm all for advocating for myself, but I wonder about seeming too needy or demanding.
  8. thanks to folks who voted--I appreciate the advice!
  9. I was recently told via email that I'm on a "very short wait list for funding," which is a good thing. Unfortunately, I don't know whether it's a good idea to respond to this email to advocate for myself, responsd with a friendly thank you, or to simply wait. I don't want to risk annoying anyone, but I've also been told it's a good idea to show intiative. Right now, I'm leaning toward a quick and polite thank you email. What's your opinion?
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