Giving the students access to the Substack platform is a stroke of genius! Hopefully over the course of the semester you’ll explain to US what “campaign journalism“ is? Or even post your syllabus here if G doesn’t mind…
As a professor for 40 years (STEM field, recently retired), including 10 years in a part-time administrative capacity where student complaints came to me, I can tell you this: caring about doing a good job is at least 90% of doing a good job.
Happily, we didn't have any of those in my dept. For one thing, it's less common in STEM, where if you don't keep up you are clearly perceived as an idiot.
What you affectionately call "idiot" is known as "tenure" in state universities. And listening to crotchety old buzzards talk about ancient IBM databases while I was pushing those newfangled Oracle SQL db's was a battle nobody should have to fight!
As a veteran 25 year educator/teacher, I hear you on the feeling unprepared. Not a day goes by when I don't question whether I'm ready for what the day holds. These feelings of -Am I doing enough....Did I say that the right way.....Are they buying what I'm selling....ALL are normal and expected. Simply bc you care enough to have those feelings, you are ahead of the game. That and being your authentic self are important. Kids/students of all ages can suss out a fraud.
Last piece of advice, always remember this-you are the expert in the room. Nobody in that room possesses the knowledge and experience that you have. While you might not always have every answer, you'll have most of them and that will carry the day.
Hey Chris. I’m a 1977 J-School grad (Mizzou) and like you, also love journalism! Congrats on the G-town gig and keep up the great work. And, speaking of Missouri and journalism, I hope you’ll invite Gabe Fleisher (a 2024 Georgetown grad) to one of your classes for a discussion among two of my favorite political writers.
If your course is anything like your blogs, these kids are in for an incredible ride, and will come out the other end all the better for it.
Congrats and best wishes.
I know you'll have many things competing for your time, but perhaps you should let some things slide while focusing your limited time over the next 10 weeks supplying us junkies with our fixes on the Presidential and Congressional races (and prognostications are also welcomed)!!
What great news! Don't worry about us: If we like you enough to be here (I sure do!), then we like you enough to stay here and continue to wish you well as things unfold.
Kudos to you for not turning this offer down! As a retired educator I can tell you that putting yourself out there and letting young people benefit from your experience and expertise is a great thing. This is such an important time for our country. Your insight will help these students develop an important understanding of how journalism is supposed to work.
So, go get ‘em Prof.! Oh, and don’t worry about no syllabus for Friday. Lead in with one of the Lines pieces and just let it flow. Good Luck!
Good move. You're now fully in charge of your own career (If I wasn't retired I'd be jealous) and this sounds like a perfect opportunity. Teaching something you know all about is fun!
I think you are a great teacher, based on what I learn from your posts. I taught at the college and post grad level for 36 years. Secret: I never felt fully prepared and ALL the great teachers I have been privileged to know are the same way. Because someone in class can derail the best laid plans at any moment, for good or ill, and when that happens it’s improv time.The worst teachers are always the most confident that they have it all figured out and repeat the same regurgitated stuff.
I'm sick of people thinking that they can get away with typos and other violations of the English language online that they would never tolerate in print.
Giving the students access to the Substack platform is a stroke of genius! Hopefully over the course of the semester you’ll explain to US what “campaign journalism“ is? Or even post your syllabus here if G doesn’t mind…
Congratulations, Chris. That's great news for you and for your students!
As a professor for 40 years (STEM field, recently retired), including 10 years in a part-time administrative capacity where student complaints came to me, I can tell you this: caring about doing a good job is at least 90% of doing a good job.
You didn't mention bucking heads with old "established" faculty who stopped learning anything new a half a century ago.
Happily, we didn't have any of those in my dept. For one thing, it's less common in STEM, where if you don't keep up you are clearly perceived as an idiot.
What you affectionately call "idiot" is known as "tenure" in state universities. And listening to crotchety old buzzards talk about ancient IBM databases while I was pushing those newfangled Oracle SQL db's was a battle nobody should have to fight!
My university is a state university. There is a lot of quality variation. Caveat emptor.
Those lucky students!
As a veteran 25 year educator/teacher, I hear you on the feeling unprepared. Not a day goes by when I don't question whether I'm ready for what the day holds. These feelings of -Am I doing enough....Did I say that the right way.....Are they buying what I'm selling....ALL are normal and expected. Simply bc you care enough to have those feelings, you are ahead of the game. That and being your authentic self are important. Kids/students of all ages can suss out a fraud.
Last piece of advice, always remember this-you are the expert in the room. Nobody in that room possesses the knowledge and experience that you have. While you might not always have every answer, you'll have most of them and that will carry the day.
You got this Chris.
Excellent advice, Paul!
Hey Chris. I’m a 1977 J-School grad (Mizzou) and like you, also love journalism! Congrats on the G-town gig and keep up the great work. And, speaking of Missouri and journalism, I hope you’ll invite Gabe Fleisher (a 2024 Georgetown grad) to one of your classes for a discussion among two of my favorite political writers.
If your course is anything like your blogs, these kids are in for an incredible ride, and will come out the other end all the better for it.
Congrats and best wishes.
I know you'll have many things competing for your time, but perhaps you should let some things slide while focusing your limited time over the next 10 weeks supplying us junkies with our fixes on the Presidential and Congressional races (and prognostications are also welcomed)!!
What great news! Don't worry about us: If we like you enough to be here (I sure do!), then we like you enough to stay here and continue to wish you well as things unfold.
I’d totally take a class from you! You’re gonna kick ass!
Chris,
Kudos to you for not turning this offer down! As a retired educator I can tell you that putting yourself out there and letting young people benefit from your experience and expertise is a great thing. This is such an important time for our country. Your insight will help these students develop an important understanding of how journalism is supposed to work.
So, go get ‘em Prof.! Oh, and don’t worry about no syllabus for Friday. Lead in with one of the Lines pieces and just let it flow. Good Luck!
Good move. You're now fully in charge of your own career (If I wasn't retired I'd be jealous) and this sounds like a perfect opportunity. Teaching something you know all about is fun!
I think you are a great teacher, based on what I learn from your posts. I taught at the college and post grad level for 36 years. Secret: I never felt fully prepared and ALL the great teachers I have been privileged to know are the same way. Because someone in class can derail the best laid plans at any moment, for good or ill, and when that happens it’s improv time.The worst teachers are always the most confident that they have it all figured out and repeat the same regurgitated stuff.
Best of luck! It will get better but never easy.
Amazing news. Teaching is the ultimate expression of caring for others. Your students will be very lucky.
“Teaching is the ultimate expression of caring for others.” What a beautiful thing for you to say! A heartfelt thank you from all of us teachers❣️❣️
You’re really more of a Gilligan, but congratulations.
I like it! He’s definitely no Thurston or ginger…
Lets move on please. ever since Mrs Howell started looking better than ginger or Mary anne, it has become depressing.
🤣
Congratulations. Is this going be to be on the test?
😂
🤣
Great, but teach them how to proofread!
Errors, errors everywhere. Not just you.
I'm sick of people thinking that they can get away with typos and other violations of the English language online that they would never tolerate in print.