Shorts and Longs

I often tweet and Facebook about wacky incidents and annoying students, however I do not tell you enough about the admirable students.   There is a few this semester that whose determination have truly inspired me.    Last year I assisted with early registration.  One of the students that I met was a young lady from a nearby town I will call DJ.   She was very excited about coming to college and very proud to have earned a full academic scholarship.   When the fall semester came I met her again in Intro to PR.   She was very quiet, being the only freshman in the class.  However her course work was on par with the upperclassmen.  Near the end of the semester she began to miss several classes which were very out of character.  I later learned that she had been hospitalized and was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.   DJ returned to class, caught up on her assignments and rocked her final presentation.    The quiet freshman that sat in the back produced one of the best media kits of the semester.      This semester DJ is another of my PR classes.  Unfortunately her health issues have progressed and she has missed even more days this semester.  However, she contacts me regularly regarding assignments and follows the course on Blackboard.    This week she emailed me and apologized for not making the extended deadline on an assignment.  Although I make concessions for her she does not expect or ask for any favors.   

Many of us do not think of violent crimes impacting small rural communities.  One of my students has lost eight friends that were victims of violence.   I noticed that her demeanor had changed in class.  At the start of the semester she was very engaged, but then began to miss class. When she was present her head was down and she was unusually quiet.  One day she asked to speak to me after class and explained that she was feeling lost because she had experienced so much lost.   The previous week her eighth friend had been killed within a year.   I didn’t know how to respond.  I asked where she was from and was surprised her hometown is a rural community upstate.   I expressed my sympathy to her and inquired about her support system.   As the semester progressed I’ve seen her return more to her former self.  She’s volunteered to help with projects on campus.  At midterm she was failing and now she has a C and is smiling again.

The most amazing of my honorable mentions is my student RB.  She’s one of the first students that I taught.  I feel very connected to that entire group but RB is like my little sister.   Before the spring semester ended she walked into my office one day, nervously closed the door and told me she was having a baby.   She told me she was afraid that I would be upset and disappointed by her pregnancy.  I told her I only would be disappointed if she didn’t continue school.   She returned to school in the fall with a large baby bump, of which elicited stares and whispers from faculty, staff and students at the private religious institution.  The taunts were distressing but did not deter her. At midterm RB was holding down a job, producing shows for the campus TV station and acing exams all at nine months pregnant.   She was in class until a week before she gave birth. Some days she was having contractions!  She completed assignments in advance because she knew that maternity leave was imminent.    Last week I visited her at the hospital.  While I was holding her day old son, she’s strategizing how she can complete her course work and return to school in the spring.   

The term honorable mention is seen as second best but the drive and determination of these three students surpasses all others.     When a student says to “I missed the deadline because I was taking nap,” yet wants a second chance to submit it the assignment;   I think of these courageous young ladies.    There’s no comparison that can be made.   When I’ve been whining about my own life I think of these students and end the pity party.  If they can do it, we all can.

salty_soul

It’s hard to believe that midterms are only a few weeks away.   The semester is going fast and most of my students are doing well.  One problem I have noticed is classroom chatter. 

 Elementary school students know not to talk while others are speaking.   In my classes I encourage discussion.  However it is unacceptable to have a conversation while I am lecturing or as a student is making a discussion point.    There’s a group in the back of Intro to Communications that I have had to ask to be quiet several times.  One of the talkers has a voice like a Quiet Storm DJ.   When he denies that he is talking. My response, is “you can’t whisper and your voice is very distinct.”  They assume I cannot see them because I teach the class from a low chair, so that I do not block the whiteboard.  However I’m tall (even in a chair) and I have ears too.     There’s a section of the room that is out of my line of sight.  I have to remind myself to swivel around and make eye contact with this side.  There was a chatter bunch developing in this area but calling them out once ended the conversations.  Now they are raising their hands and participating more.  Perhaps they were just trying to get my attention. 

Afternoon classes tend to be more animated.   In this class there are chatterboxes too.  I can’t blame it all on the time of day because the Comm. class is in the morning.    One of the same talkies from that class is chatting it up in Intro to PR too.  Today she was having a conversation with another student about something on her laptop’s screen until I told her to put it away.  Two talkers I silenced by asking them to leave. They apologized and have not been a problem since.  Another talker is in this class for the second time. You would think she’d be listening this time around. Maybe the third time will be the charm for her…

Saying a few words to the person sitting next to you is understandable.  But it is rude and immature to have a full on conversation during class.  “We’re talking about the work!” is not an excuse.  Raise your hand and join the classroom conversation, otherwise shut up!

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

By wearing wedges I can navigate the rocks, and climb the hill in style. Parking on my campus is limited and unpredictable.  The largest faculty lot is a gravel pit at the bottom of a hill. I’m lucky to get a spot there if I synchronize my arrival perfectly.  It’s difficult to walk on gravel, especially in heels.  This lot is called the “sprain your ankle lot.”    Many days I end up in a miscellaneous lot even further from the main campus.      Wedges eliminate the need for carrying two pairs of shoes, wearing flip flops, and then changing into my heels once I reach my office.  

My discovery of functional footwear was not intentional.  I’ve always found wedges to be very cute and comfortable.  I bought a black peep toe pair and a bronze pair of wedge heeled sandals that I wore a lot during summer break.  I continued rocking them once I returned to campus along with my favorite black Via Spiga, sling back, peep toe, patent pair and the flower print Franco Sarto’s that I have had for years.   The computer lab where I teach most of my classes finally has a working podium and projector.  Students knew I was coming when they heard my heels and the wheels on the projection cart coming down the hall.  Now I stand at the podium throughout class in comfort and style in my wedges, without dragging around the squeaky cart.  

By no means have I given up my heels ( I was wearing stilettos today) and although my wedges are functional they are tall! 

Last year I grew to dread my Communications class because the students were mutes.   Nothing I tried sparked discussions.  The feng shui in the classroom was bad. It was in the basketball gym, dark, with orange walls, and only two small windows.   On Tuesday the class of 37 mostly first year students was pretty quiet. But when we met on Thursday the discussion on defining media was very lively.   I’m hoping that’s a good indication for how the semester will proceed.   I can’t take another quiet disengaged class.  

The bane of my week has been registration.  Thankfully it ends on Friday.  Then I will not have to deal with students making schedule changes.   I inherited the advisees of two former colleagues.   Most of my advisees graduated and I was looking forward to a small group this year.  Instead I’ve had an endless stream of students adding and dropping classes.  Some needed to create complete schedules because they failed to do so before the spring semester ended.  Most classes are full at this point, so don’t get upset because you dropped the ball.  Students have to be responsible for their own education. It’s not your former advisor’s fault and certainly not mine.  I have no patience for any of them except for the freshmen. After this semester they will not get a pass either.    “The teacher seems mean” or “I didn’t’ plan to do so much work this semester.” Is not a reason to drop a class, especially when it’s a required course that eventually you will need to complete.  However, as I often say to students “These are your choices to make, choose widely, and be prepared to deal with the results.”      

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Kevin Coles

I returned to campus this week to begin my third academic year. Time has flown by!  My first freshmen are now juniors!  I’m back at work but my brain is still on summer vacation. This week I attended the dean’s meeting, department meeting, full faculty meeting, president’s luncheon and academic advisee meetings, all of which cut into the course prep time that I desperately needed.  I found it difficult to wrap my mind around class projects with so many other things to distract me in D.C. After each meeting I tried to gain my focus in my dusty office.   But first I had to dust, unpack new books, and then I had to have lunch with the English Department’s professor divas. Tuesday night I was invited to an event but instead I stayed home and cranked out two syllabi.   Tonight I stayed at the office until 7:30 to finish the final one.  

 I’m looking forward to getting back into the classroom next week. It’s my favorite place and I think it then I will become fully focused. So many changes occurred during the summer. My conjoined twin colleague accepted a position at another university, one colleague left for law school and another died unexpectedly.  I met my new colleagues this week but I miss the old gang and sometimes forget they’re gone.  Our first department meeting was far from harmonious which further influenced my weird mood.   As the week has progressed more students are arriving.  One student and I swapped stories about Jamaica and Grand Cayman.  Her summer was way better than mine. My first freshmen are beyond the mostly introductory classes I am teaching.  It will be weird not to have them in class. Instead I will primarily have new students to become acquainted with. On Monday it’s off with the gladiators and flip-flops.  I will happily click my heels to class.       

 Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

I spent the weekend in Philadelphia at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention.  I became a member of NABJ when I was an undergraduate at Hampton University.   The event is a fantastic networking and career development opportunity for journalists, communications professionals and journalism educators.   After attending several conventions over the years, it was an honor to be invited to serve as a panelist this year.   Friend to Professor Diva Diaries Benet Wilson, recommended Prof Cali and I for the “Syllabus Exchange” panel.   Cali had to decline due to her recent arrival (see Professor Baby.)   

On Friday I joined Professors Wayne Dawkins (Hampton University,)  Bonnie Newman Davis (Virginia Commonwealth University,) and Herbert Lowe (Marquette University)   to share with the audience tips on organizing course syllabi and ways to incorporate online resources into the classroom.  Syllabi provide students with a clear course plan for the semester, help professors to remain organized and  document how students will be assessed.  My first semester as a professor I arrived on campus a week before classes began, having only written one syllabus ever.  It was for a course project in graduate school.  Now I was tasked with preparing four syllabi for four distinct courses!    The university’s syllabi template, the syllabi  written previously for the courses and sample syllabi on the textbook publisher’s websites were my guide. I shared this experience with the convention attendees.    This summer I have been saving blog posts (PR Newser & Mopwater PR) and links from Twitter for use in classes.  Many tools for teaching can be found in our everyday activities.      I also imparted how much information is available through textbook companion sites and the education sections of news organizations websites such as the New York Times’ The Learning Network.    

When I was not speaking I was noting my fellow panelists suggestions,  such as  leave tentative dates in your syllabus to accommodate guest speakers,  require  students to tweet three things learned in class, consult the Facebook and Journalists Educators Syllabus, participate in Teacherpalooza,  use the Poynter certificate program as an exercise for students and use Storify.   My favorite insight from the panel came from Lowe, “There are two types of students, those that want a career and those that want a grade.”  I’m adopting this statement as the mantra for the school year.  

Attending NABJ is always a rewarding experience.  This year I was not only the receiver of information but also a teacher.  I’m looking forward to taking what I learned back to campus. 

 Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

P.S.  Check out the NABJ Professor’s Panel album on Facebook.

Elsie esq.

Professor Cali and I both took a break from teaching this summer.  But my friend Professor Tech has been in the classroom.  Professor Tech and I have been friends since we met in the first grade.  We teach at different colleges in the same town.  However, she’s far more experienced than I and continues to guide me through academia.   This is her dispatch from Summer School.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

_____________________________________________________________________________

“Are All Hearts and Minds Clear For The Summer?”

I look at the hands of the clock on the wall, watching the minutes tick away as I anticipate what I’ve now coined, “The Hallelujah Summer Break”…or is it?  The answer to that would be, NO, because before that happens, we must now make way for the, “Pity Train”.  This train comes loaded with the excuses of the students that have waited to finally find my office and tell me, “See, Professor….What Had Happened Was…”  Well, what has really happened is, the semester is over, I can not reopen any tests for you, there is no extra credit to take, and you have failed.  Now this feeling did not come naturally to me.  I had to learn the hard way that allowing students to not be held accountable for their educational success, will eventually lead to; unpaid student loans with no degree and unemployment.  So, I do not give into their EXCUSES, but I do make room for some REASONS throughout the semester. Why?  Well because, the students of today are not what we once were.  The demographics have changed.  The once non-traditional student is now the traditional ones.  They are older, they have been laid-off, and going to school is not a matter of one of life’s stages, but the quickest way to earn a check…a refund check. 

Thus, I equate being a college student to that of having a job and your grades are your paycheck.  You see, if you can not make it to class, you should inform your boss (your professor) that you have to take a “sick day” and you will still be accountable for missed work, if the task that I have given you is daunting, come to my office and ask for assistance, if the evaluation (test) that I have given you was not very good let’s discuss it, so when your college tenure (job) comes to an end and you’re ready to move on, I will gladly give you a glowing recommendation (referral .)  Otherwise, I will end the semester the same way I end my classes and the way my Sunday mornings has ended so many times before, by saying, “Are all hearts and minds clear?”  The answer will be, YES, and I will see you in the fall, either with or without your degree.

*Church Wave*

Professor Tech

Indiana University where Dr. J, earned his Ph.D.

 My conjoined twin colleague, Dr. F called me Wednesday morning. I thought it would be our usual you’re not going to believe what’s happening on campus now conversation.  Dr. F. is still in the college town for the summer.  Instead, he told me that our colleague Julian died the previous day after an operation.   I was stunned.  Last summer we lost another colleague as well (eerie.)   Dr. J as many students referred to him was one of the nicest persons I’ve ever met.  He was so welcoming to me my first semester on campus.  One day he came to my office and asked if I’d like to go to lunch because he wanted to learn more about me.  My response was, “Ok, but it will not be a very interesting conversation.”  He laughed his hearty dry laugh and we were cool from that point on.   If you called Central Casting for a college professor, it would be Dr. J.  He was always engaged in his research, kind of disheveled with a dry wit.   

Dr. J grew up in the college town where he taught during segregation. He left after high school but returned four years ago after a stint as a local news reporter, before becoming a professor. He was very proud of how his hometown had evolved. He shared with me many stories about his mother, siblings and daughters.  He was very proud of his girls and spoke of one of his daughter’s musical talent.  Dr. J told me that his mother knew the Bond family when she was a student and thought their son Julian had a nice name.   Years later his mother gave him the name of the boy (Julian Bond) that grew up to be a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and chairman of the NAACP.   Media during the Civil Rights Movement was a major part of Dr. J’s scholarly work.   When he taught at the University of Florida he designed a course on this subject.

Dr. J was the calming force when our department meetings became heated.     He was diplomacy to my sarcasm and reason to the argumentative nature of some of the other professors.  

While talking to Dr. F, I texted students with the sad news.  Instantly calls and messages flooded in from grief stricken students.  Dr. J definitely leaves a void in our department.  The communications school will be a different place without him. He truly made an impact on the faculty and students.  His dedication and concern was unmatched.  Someone else will teach his classes this fall but he is irreplaceable.

Air Kisses (goodbye)

Professor Diva Mac

As in Puerto Rico all of the participating professors lived in dorms.  The accommodations this time around were much nicer but the weather was not.  I wasn’t fully prepared for the cool New York spring and sporadic rains coming from balmy D.C.  My travel rule of never leaving home without a few pairs of jeans saved me.   I had to put my AirMax’s into my regular clothing rotation because all my other shoes were sandals.   However, the sun emerged mid week and I put the sneakers away.

New York is one of my favorite cities and being here reunited me with university colleagues and professors I met in Puerto Rico. My two professor diva buddies from the English Dept were here along with the TV production professor.   I hadn’t seen any of them since I left for the summer. We had a great time exploring Manhattan after class. 

The seminar experience this time around was far more enriching.   The facilitators were highly credentialed Middle East experts, yet explained the complexities of the region in a way that we all could digest the information.  The professors taking the course came from media, sociological and military backgrounds.   This made the discussions more engaging, plus conveners strongly encouraged our dialogue.  This was a welcome change from the previous seminar in January.       

After this week I have so many ideas for my fall classes and resources to execute them because of my summer seminar.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac

Ms. Tea

Although we are on summer vacation I’m still feeling the love from my students.   I’ve received several emails,  though some were to ask for recommendation letters,  after mentioning how much I’m missed.   I received one email from a student that is an extremely talented writer.   She told me that she wanted me to know that she appreciates my encouragement and belief in her and that she’s working on something that will really make me proud soon.  I’ve been pushing her to freelance.  

Another student invited me to her parent’s house on Memorial Day.  They live in the D.C. area where I am spending the summer.   At one point I thought it might be weird if I go.  But after spending the day working on projects, I was ready to get outside and also starving.   Plus I had met the student’s mother when she visited campus during the semester and she was very cool.   After a few minutes upon arrival I was glad that I went.   Everyone was very nice and I was chatting with the entire and extended family as if they were old friends.    I repeatedly heard how much the student talks about me and her mom thanked me for mentoring her daughter.    

 Today I received a text from a student apologizing for not contacting since the semester ended but promised that she would call me soon.    During my summer vacations or any break from school I did not give my professors a single thought when I was an undergraduate.  I did not remain in contact with any of them after graduation.  At the cookout on Memorial Day a family friend said “I would not invite any of professors over when I was a student.”  My response was, “me either!”  I do communicate with two of my graduate school professors.   Next week a group of students will be in town attending a seminar at Howard University.    I plan to meet with them while they are in the city.   Although I joke about my students being clingy and weird, I do value the relationships that I have formed with many of them. 

 Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac