Well, life is pretty ok.

[lunadelcorvo]

So, I will try to inaugurate my return to LJ not with a meme or quiz, as has been my wont, but with...just life. Here we go!

I'm done with classes for the summer. I got me evaluations, and they are pretty good. My numbers are still above national, institutional, and departmental averages. As far as comments, it's a mix, as it usually is. And it's rarely a surprise, either. There will be one or tow disengaged students that will whine about too much reading, too much writing, too hard, etc. Welcome to college! I'm a big pussycat compared to some of the best instructors I had; count your blessings, you lazy sots! The enthusiastic students will be complimentary, and occasionally offer legit critique or advice, which I actually welcome. The rest can barely be bothered to fill out the eval at all, and therefore refrain from comment. All my peer faculty assessments are glowing, so I'm tickled, all in all!

I'm doing this thesis thing (again!). Still not 100% sure WHY I'm putting myself through the thesis process again, but it's gong well, if slowly. I'm trying to use COMM theory to analyze early illustrated manuscripts of Dante's Divine Comedy. COMM theory is resisting. I'm (slowly) persevering. Good news is, once I beat the theory into submission, the rest is cake; I can talk Dante all day long!

I'm teaching the Photoshop summer camp for the third year, and I seem to have picked up two more, as well: websites and movies (egad! wish em luck on those; I know how to do both, but necessarily how to teach middle schoolers!). But it's quick and easy money, so no complaints!

Otherwise, I am chilling and enjoying the summer! Rather unlike many parents I talk to, I am actually thrilled when my kid is out of school; I hate sending him back in the fall! Although, we are really excited about this fall. He's going to a very small private school that bases its educational framework on classical education and Socratic method. They are amazing, and I am hoping this is what the Niblet needs. He's SO damned smart, but he hates school, largely because he sees he's getting crap for education. Here's hoping this gives him something to sink his teeth into!

So that's it. I'm relaxing between wrestling matches with the thesis, gaming a bit, doing a little Latin and Art with the Niblet, and just living. I like summer. :)

Comments

[cmcmck]

At the last count, I had six thesises (thesii?) to my name.

I hated state education and while there were good enough reasons to persuade me to leave at fifteen, unqualified, I think I'd have hated it even if I'd popped out the right way first up.

Having worked with the seriously disabled and terminally ill in schools, I know it CAN be made to work, so it frustrates me so deeply that it isn't allowed to!

[toll-booth.livejournal.com]

Don't even get me started on whiny students. You want that college degree? Then grow a pair and earn it. And no, the course feedback is not the place to rant about how "hard" it is.

Good for you enjoying spending time with your son! Too many parents see their kids as little more than hassles, which is a real shame, because they're only young once. Yeah they take a LOT of time and effort to raise, but good parenting practices and remembering to take care of yourself first can go a long ways.

[ohhhlife.livejournal.com]

Yay, post! And Yay, summer break & good evaluations!

That school sounds really interesting! Is it part of some larger school movement or anything that I could google & find out more about?

Ooo good luck with your thesis!