I wasn't able to hide my disappointment
@gianthesphinx (14)
March 24, 2017 6:08am CST
Today, I was asked by my co-teacher to be a panelist for the research defense of her students in technical writing . One research made me lose my cool because in one of their recommendations, they cited part-time instructors as a major influence as to why students fail - they said that the university should not hire part-timers like me because we are inefficient teachers. I mean they are entitled to their own opinion but that was research where opinions are not valid not until they back it up with data. I was so infuriated by their arrogance. I am an education graduate and I am well-aware of almost all the teaching pedagogues and none of my students fail my class.
When I asked them about their reasons for concluding such, they cited their personal experiences from their part-time instructors - okay I get it, there are some instructors who are so busy with their day jobs they do not have time to cater to students inquiries; my point is that I and some of my co part-timers are not. We take time to tally grades and let those in the brink of failing catch-up. We also make sure that the content of our lesson is appropriate as well as we also make sure that we use varying teaching techniques.
I have reprimanded them a bit but I made sure to maintain my composure, I just wanted them to learn their lesson- to be careful with what they conclude.
4 people like this
4 responses
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
25 Mar 17
i am a part-time clinical instructor for 13 years now. i am just glad to say, we part-time instructors are well-liked by our students because we fill in the gap that the full-time instructors miss.
2 people like this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
26 Mar 17
@cacay1 yes and i think they can use the internet to research on their subjects' topics. but here in my school we part-timers are more liked than the full-time instructors.
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
1 Apr 17
@gianthesphinx maybe those part-time teachers were no working well and leave the students in to researching their assignments, which we don't allow our students to do.
@gianthesphinx (14)
•
1 Apr 17
@ridingbet Even in the college I am teaching too. Part-timers are equally well-like by the students. It is just that those students who I paneled have bad experiences with part-time teachers.
1 person likes this
@gianthesphinx (14)
•
1 Apr 17
They are indeed @JudyEv which is why I reminded them to be careful with conclusions
1 person likes this
@gianthesphinx (14)
•
1 Apr 17
Indeed that was. They are discrediting the hard work we put into teaching. I believe that it doesn't actually imply that being a part-timer is synonymous to incompetent. I really don't understand why part-timers are sometimes looked-up to as not in the same level as the full-time ones.
@VirginiaLee (134)
• Newport, Rhode Island
24 Mar 17
That's ridiculous. Some of the best teachers I had in university were part-timers. I'm glad you defended yourself. Honestly, I have a feeling the issue is more about the students' work ethic and motivation.
1 person likes this
@gianthesphinx (14)
•
1 Apr 17
I believe so too @VirginiaLee I have actually pointed out that the research they are defending actually points the blame on them and not on us teachers. I could have said more but I controlled myself so as not to go overboard just like what they did. Because at the end of the day, I should still be a role model to the students despite their lapses.
1 person likes this
