It’s finally here! After spending most of the break updating and providing new content for you all, I’m happy to announce that the Spring Retreat and Master Class is ready for enrollment. There are a couple of completely new sections, including Getting Things Done for Academics and How to Re-think your assignments. Enroll for 25% …
Spring Retreat and Master Class is Up and Ready! Read More »
It’s December, so I know that we are all grading, grading, grading right now. Because I am. But while COVID presents challenges it also presents opportunities: at this moment I’m delivering my final exam to my students across the country, while I’m in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where I’m on my annual writing group retreat. …
Sometimes you just have to teach off script. Here’s why. I’ve been teaching American literature for over 25 years, and it enables me to raise all kinds of issue of central importance today, including our persistent failure to move beyond the racist attitudes present at the founding of the United States. But sometimes we need …
As some of you know, I use my first two weeks of classes to schedule face-to-face meetings with individual students in my classes so that I can get to know them better. This is one of my top strategies for increasing participation in class, and it really works. But this week I had a first …
I’ve been working all summer on this retreat, so I’m so excited to finally make it available. If you are anxious about the start of the school year and need a vocational renewal, this retreat is for you! I extended the work I did on my book to provide strategies for success with Zoom, as …
If so, you are not alone. This might be the single most frustrating summer-running-up-to-classes that I’ve experienced in my career. Uncertainty and anxiety do not make for a fun start to the school year. That, and trying to plan our our teaching schedules around our children’s schedules. At least we won’t be bored. If you …
The inevitable has happened around here–the Queen Anne’s Lace is in full bloom, often beautifully interlaced with bright blue chicory flowers. To me this means that the start of classes is right around the corner. Of course, because of the ‘Rona this semester is a bit more difficult and anxiety-provoking than most, but I maintain …
I use an app called “We Croak” that reminds me, five times a day, that I will die one day. Could be any minute–so the notifications appear on my phone at any time, day or night. Totally random. And the notifications come with quotations. This is the one that appeared this morning when I clicked …
True confessions: I haven’t completed my book order yet for fall 2020. Yes, I’m one of those faculty members. I just found out that I have to comply this week so I will. Reluctantly. But here’s what I’m not doing right now. I’m not prepping my classes, adjusting my syllabi, and definitely not thinking about …
Just one question: in your classes, who does more work—you, or your students?
