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SMITH FINALLY GETS IT

“At its May 2 meeting, the Smith College Board of Trustees voted to clarify Smith’s undergraduate admission policy to include self-identified transgender women. The board’s decision affirms Smith’s unwavering mission and identity as a women’s college, our commitment to representing the diversity of women’s lived experiences, and the college’s exceptional role in the advancement of women worldwide.” http://www.smith.edu/studygroup/

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TyraTips for Teaching in a Quarter System

Welcome back to TyraTips!

It's been a minute, y'all. I've been away on fellowship for a year and am getting back into the teaching groove. Some of you lucky bastards teach on the semester system and have all the time in the world. This post is not for you! 

This is for those of us on that ten-week grind. (J/K I'm just being a hater. These tips are applicable to you, too.) If you are about to teach a course, read on! (Students needing advice can visit the AggieVoices tumblr.)

1. Create a one-page calendar of class meeting times.

It will fit on one page because we meet like twice/week in a quarter system.  Block out any holidays, then block out the first and last days of class. Notice something? Those ten weeks just went down to nine! :( The first day is introductory and undergrads don't usually have assignments for that day. The last day-- well, I don't know about you, but somewhere along the middle of the semester I fall behind. The last day is a nice buffer. Do this first, before scheduling readings and assignments. (Now it may extend beyond one page, obvi.)

2. Stack assignments and complicated readings away from the middle. 

I may have mentioned that the quarter system is brief. By week three, it seems that students are already bogged down with assignments and midterms.

Grandparents also begin to die off by week three. I try to schedule complicated readings early on, so students have more time to grapple with them. Obviously if you are scheduling a midterm exam it has to be, well, in the middle of the term. But essays may have more flexibility. Plug in readings and assignments into your class calendar.

3. Make your deadlines and late policies explicit.

Some people procrastinate.

Shocker, I know. If assignments are due between weeks 3 and 4 (they probably are), make these deadlines very clear in the beginning. Students could even sign the syllabus thereby agreeing to the scheduled dates. If you allow late papers---prepare to receive them ALL late. 

4. Recognize your (and your students') limits. 

I was overager prepping for my first class and assigned way too much reading and too many assignments. Not only was it super clear that students hadn't finished the reading, but I also found myself running out of time while prepping. If I am overwhelmed, so are they! I try to shoot for 3 articles a week (though usually have four). Students still complain, but come on! As for assignments-- I found myself bogged down and turning grades around longer than I'd like. 

This is unacceptable for everyone involved. Take grade turnaround time into account when scheduling assignment due dates. 

5. Quality over quantity.

Shorter classes force us to cull unnecessary or inefficient assignments and readings. While I do long for the extra weeks a semester affords, the quarter system does allow for students to take more classes and, ideally, learn more! The class time we have is precious. (Aww!)

Follow these tips and before you know it, the quarter's over and it's time to do it all over again!

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Watching my students pick partners for an in-class assignment and taking way too much joy in their discomfort

They're like:

While inside I'm like:

GIF credit: antmfunny 

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When we're assigned groups for a project and I don't get to work with the one person I like

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When undergrad students think that I'm attracted to them

Like, no. I've read your papers. You are not cute. 

GIF credit: antmfunny

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When my friends and I accidentally end up in a bar filled with undergrads

gif credit: antmfunny 

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Listen up, people.

Despite growing up with the internet, many of you don’t know how to communicate with your instructors. Let us school you.

  #1. Use a greeting.

Shocking. Who knew people wanted to be addressed by their names rather than “hey”?!

  #2. Say who you are and...

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TBT: When a professor dresses up for Halloween

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TyraTips: Beauty for Critical Minds!

My latest Internet obsession? Brightest Bulb in the Box: Beauty for Critical Minds.

Robyn reviews monthly subscription beauty boxes like Julep and Birchbox, does makeup tutorials, and my favorite - beauty bullshit posts that debunk the pseudo-science of beauty marketing with actual scientific experiments. Critiques of positivity aside (cuz sometimes science is our friend), it's awesome to see the claims of the beauty industry unveiled without sacrificing genuine enjoyment for all the pretty things!

What are your faves? It's getting cold out and I'm looking for some new Internet rabbit holes to burrow down!

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Realizing I have both acne and grey hair

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When first years in my grad program freak out about one bad grade

I'm like:

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Total confidence then immediate self-doubt after nailing a presentation

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When I'm way more excited about a lecture topic than my students

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When I don't understand my advisor's edits to my draft so I just try guessing

Sometimes it works!

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Practicing my dance moves before a rare Saturday night out on the town

It's queer dance party time!

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It's that time of year...

  Back to school, back to writing, back to tumblr! 

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Happy #MountainDay 2014 everyone!