Here I go again for the 35th year. I started teaching at this College back in 1980. Most of my classes back then consisted of male students with a few female students sprinkled in. Today, our student enrollment is 70% women, 30% men. We now offer over 100 online courses (I’m teaching three of them this semester). In fact, my College allows students to take their entire Business degree online if they choose. They never have to set foot on campus.
My Office Mate of 20 years has announced his retirement. He’ll finish out this academic year and will retire May 2015. Retirement is looming for me, too. But I’m going to enjoy the last few semesters of teaching before I hang up my laser pointer. I’m still excited by the First Day of Classes!
Egads! Your hair is all white and bushy. You need to retire ASAP. I think the only thing keeping you around are those 70% women.
Bob, I actually enjoy my job (or at least most of it). I’ll be joining you in Retirement shortly.
I was struck by the look of rapt attention in the student body there; you must be teaching a course called “How to get rich and have lots of sex.”
Dan, I provide plenty of stock tips to my students. I remember one student who bought BANK OF AMERICA like I did at $4 (I bought 1000 shares) back in 2008. A few months later, I sold BANK OF AMERICA when it hit $12 a share. But the student hung on until the stock hit $15. She sent me an email thanking me for helping her pay for the next semester’s tuition.
Best wishes for another successful school year! I’m sure you see this every year, but always good to keep in mind: http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2018/
Deb, thanks for the link! My students have completely different experiences than you and I. But, sadly, a lot of them struggle to find work, pay for an education that keeps getting more expensive, and deal with family issues. I do what I can to help them navigate this Brave New World.
What the Cap’n said. I see you’re all dressed up for the first day of school.
Believe me, retirement is the way to go. I’m sure you’ll have a great year.
Jeff, Diane says I’ve been semi-retired for decades. If I didn’t enjoy my job, I’d bailed out long ago.
Sic ’em, George!
Bill, I just met my first class of the day. It was Standing Room Only!
Looks like it was standing and sitting room only
Phil’s last semester. I am worried!
Patti, Phil is a pro. He’ll do fine and when he retires, you and he will have a blast!
Phil’s last semester. I am worried! How is it they don’t have laptops or paper?
Patti, our College server is constantly having problems. Technology is overrated!
Hope all your classes are good. Enjoy the semester.
Rick, I never really know how good a class is until I give the first Exam.
Congratulations, George! Your students are lucky you’re so committed.
Beth, you and I grew up in kinder and gentler times. I feel sorry for what some of these students have to contend with.
I was joking. Is that really you or some guy doing an evening at The Improv?
Bob, that photo is just a random classroom I found on the internet. You know I look like George Clooney.
Or Rosemary Clooney.
Bob, ha! But you’re right, it depends on the day.
Well, one Clooney or another.
Jeff, I really liked George Clooney’s Dad introducing movies on TBS long ago.
I feel lucky I went to college in the no-tech days. Lined paper, pens, handouts and of course the books and other class materials were enough. Heaven only knows what they do in the science labs these days. When I took Botany, it was slide shows, text books and cutting up plants. So straightforward, as were the lit classes, even math.
Beth is right, your students are fortunate to have a dedicated, open-minded, aware prof like you.
Rick, thanks for the kind words! I’m still teaching because I want to make a difference in my students’ lives.
George, I hope you have a great semester with your students. What exactly do you teach? I’m assuming it has to do with the financial markets. I didn’t know you could enrol in a (physical) college and still pursue a business degree online without setting foot on campus. I think I’ll forward this to our central (federal) and state education departments! We have something called “distance education” or degree by correspondence, which I don’t think is the same.
Prashant, I’m a professor in the Business Administration Department. I’ve taught all the courses in the Business Curriculum over the years except for “Business Law.” We have a lawyer teach that course. Mostly, I teach MANAAGEMENT and MARKETING. Our online program is about 10 years old. Each year, more sections are added. Soon the online courses will outnumber the classroom courses.