Episode II: The Dark Side

OK, well I promised to keep you informed of the happenings of Principal Palpatine and Sally Slacker. Well, Sally Slacker's daddy, a lawyer, called the district and started to quote Ed Code...which to me is funny, since the notification of poor grades would have had no effect on this. An hour conversation and collaboration with others involved has revealed the following:

1. Palpatine planned on changing the grade without my approval.
2. The parents have been promised things that Palpatine can not produce.
3. The agreement between Mr. Slacker and myself is not going to happen because Palpatine said the "schedule can not accommodate it" Meaning the schedule is WRONG for the third year in a row - making it the teachers fault.
4. Palpatine seems to think that I am going to "give in" with her directions.

I am no longer working for the district, so this would be an great time for me to bring to the Emperor the issues above.

I think that the district is trying to make sure that this is not brought to the Emperor; but I am not going to give the student an A; when she earned an F. I am known as a very flexible teacher and to be put in this situation by Palpatine is crazy.

...TO BE CONTINUED

Return of the Sith...

OK...it has been over two months since I resigned from my last position; however, a few days ago, I received an email from Principal Palpatine about a student that is questioning the F they received in a course I taught over the summer. Sally Slacker waits until August 22 - to email me and tell me that she noticed her grade was an F, that she completed and turned in all the work and if I can look at the work and give her a P so that she can get into the colleges she is applying for she would appreciate it...to which I reply:

Sally, I appreciate your contacting me about your grade, however, I have not received any of the assignments in which you mention. I will however, go back into the online course and research the times you logged in and submitted anything, since the system keeps track of everything. At this point your grade stands and I am sorry you didn't notice this earlier in the course.

Needless to say, the students and parents at the school I left are not very keen on grades lower than an A; since they are all college bound. So, now the parents have started questioning the practices of the course and "blaming" the instructor for not notifying them she was failing. Lawyers are eminent. The parents also think that the instructor is prejudice and questions the students honesty. Funny thing is...I don't know the student personally...its an online course...so who knows what they want from me....

However, the district has assured me that they are NOT going to do a grade change or allow her to complete the work, since she was able to complete her work in another online course and earn a passing grade. Funny how that works...we're all on the same system so how can one course work and the other not? I did say that I would reconsider the grade....but even late work is only 1/2 credit and that would only get her a D - still not good for those colleges...

Will keep you updated on the events...

Ahhh....a light at the end of the tunnel

It has been a crazy two weeks, but overall things are good!

School is good, kids are still good (honeymoon isn't over yet) and I am completing my final paper for my graduate class today, which then gives me 3 weeks before starting the last of my courses for my PhD. Hey, I think that moves me into ABD status...I'll have to check!

Life has been uneventful, except for my college class...I teach at a local college once a week for 3 hours, and as much as I thought I was going to dread it...I am actually having a good time. There are 32 students...yes in a college class (its a requirement for psychology students) and the age range is from 18-52; I am mid-range and I'm the instructor. Let me tell you the more seasoned folks asked if I had even finished going through puberty yet...I'm teaching an adolescent and emerging adulthood course...which made me laugh.

Anyway, its been fun second week and only two dropped...while others email me and tell me how they enjoy the class. So, that being said it will not surprise you that when a post of an Assistant Professor was posted, I applied. Review of applications begin in October...position begins in Aug 2009, by then I should have gone from "Dr" to Dr. (meaning I completed dissertation and was conferred a degree).

I'll keep you posted on that. Other than that...nothing too spectacular.