Well, this will be interesting. I've just been hired by the College of New Rochelle, whose programs are now much like Chatham's but at a Catholic university, to tutor in their writing lab a couple of days a week, and possibly to teach one of the remedial classes, which may in turn lead to a more regular teaching gig. They seemed to think I was grossly overqualified to tutor in the writing center and fairly anxious to offer me an adjunct gig, which sort of surprised me. It's not like Ph.D.s aren't going begging. Hmmm.
Seems a bit more conservative than other places I've taught (not surprising, since it's Catholic). Mild dress code that the women ignore and men observe by wearing a tie. Much professor this and Dr. that in the introductions, which may be just because I'm new. But everyone seemed very friendly, and I'm older than both of the people in the department who interviewed me, which was weird.
The gig is at one of CNR's satellite campuses, this one in the South Bronx, a mere bus ride away. Very easy to get to, not horrible hourly pay (though the adjunct pay for 9 weeks pretty much sucks, as usual), and nice people. The students, I suspect, are going to be rather different from even the people I taught at LaGuardia, but most of them are adults, which is a plus. And it's a big plus to teach at a 4-year again, rather than a community college. It'll be a nice way to ease back into teaching, too. Keep you posted.
Hey Professor Kottner, congratulations!
I didn't know you'd even applied for such work. I thuoght academia left a very bitter taste in your mouth. Or was that just your never-ending graduate program?
This sounds like a fun, fun gig, and the fact that it's in your neighborhood, sort of, makes it even better. No schlepping over bridges and into different boroughs/states! Congrats.
Posted by: Robert Kellerman | February 01, 2008 at 11:48 AM
That's Fraulein Professor Kottner to you, Herr Doktor Professor Kellerman. Should be fun, and challenging, I think, with this crowd. It's not the teaching that gets me down, it's the politicking and potlicking. I like being in the classroom and working with students. Proximity is a big sell, too.
Posted by: Lee Kottner | February 01, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Or professoressa is a nice way to be addressed, no?
Keep us posted. After my experiences as a mature age student I am feeling rather cynical about academia.
Posted by: quirkyartist | February 03, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Sorry to hear academia left a bad taste in your mouth. Going back as an adult is a whole different ball of wax though, and has its own set of challenges that many profs don't grasp right away (or ever). What were your experiences?
Posted by: Lee Kottner | February 03, 2008 at 10:49 AM