After my first semester teaching, I found that I was very prepared for the day-to-day grind of managing a class. The particular class I taught was more advanced than anything I have taught before, and I made more mistakes than I would like, but I think it was successful. I do have some questions that I have not sorted out yet. Not so much moral dilemmas as they are philosophical questions, or personal priorities. Perhaps an easy way to present these choices is in series:
Is fairness more important than compassion?
When does late become too late?
What are 'special circumstances'?
Can a class be a island unto itself?
Should policy adapt?
Are grades meaningful?
I believe in the iron fist version of policy decisions. There is no point in having rules if you are going to break them, this isn't 'nam, after all. This style of teaching may sometimes be a bit heartless, but it is honest, fair, and transparent. No sneaky deals behind closed doors. All students have the same opportunities. Unfortunately, I believe that there is some gray area in the right answers to the above questions, as do most people. Gray Areas, mixed properly with Absences, Procrastination, and Emotion, can be more explosive than dynamite. Although I don't believe in changing policy, that does not mean that I don't lose sleep over the sad stories that make it to my inbox.
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