I’ve been helping/consulting for an ex-student of mine who is running for public office here in California. He’s a very bright guy who went on to get a degree in political science from UC Berkeley and has decided to put his degree to use and serve the public interest. It’s a bold move he’s making because he running against an incumbent. If that wasn’t hard enough, how about this: he’s running against an incumbent from his own political party.
Can you say “drama?” Yep, there’s plenty of that, but his run for office isn’t the subject of this post. Rather, I’ve been going through some midlife reflection as of late. Nothing even remotely approaching a crisis, so don’t worry. I won’t be buying a red sports car or running off with a twentysomething to “find myself.” Nope, I’ve been wondering if I’ll ever do work that closely “fits” my former life of a teacher. I could certainly go back to it, but it would be tough and it would also mean giving up certain things like, um, writing for blogs (mine and Popdose). Also, it would mean that my time at home would be taken up with class prep. But it could all be worth it if it meant that I would have a greater degree of career satisfaction.
I’ve already applied at the UC Berkeley extension for a job, but they are probably not hiring since, well, if you haven’t heard, education cuts abound in the Golden State. So, while they acknowledged receipt of my application, they haven’t followed up with anything even close to an interview. But one application to one university’s extension program does not make a good effort. I have some trepidation about teaching at a school where the vast majority of students simply do not care what I’m trying to teach them, but I suppose given the “gap” in my resume regarding teaching, beggars can’t be choosers.
What to do. What … to … do.
Update!
In the meantime, have a look at my current contributions to Popdose this week. The weekly Mix Six and Pop Politico are up and ready for prime time.
J
April 8, 2008 at 9:28 amMy advice is to go for it…if you hate it, if it pulls you away from the family too much, or if the students are so frustrating that you don’t get any satisfaction from it, or if the combination of your ‘day’ job and teaching is too much, you can always just finish up the semester and be done with it.
But you are a gifted teacher. You fail to mention in your post that this student who is going forward with his political career was largely shaped by your class. He was a smart kid who had never been challenged, and your class showed him what real academic rigor was like, thus opening his mind, enriching him in a way that made him WANT to get into politics, and preparing him for classes at Cal. None of his other teachers were doing that for him.
So I say, do the world a favor, and give it a shot. Even if it’s one class every other semester, it might do you good.
Py Korry
April 8, 2008 at 9:56 amTrue. It’s only one semester, and who knows, maybe I’ll be able to teach at a school where there’s a more engaged student body.
Punning Pundit
April 8, 2008 at 2:20 pmSomeone I know?
Autumn's Mom
April 8, 2008 at 2:48 pmI think you should go for it. You wouldn’t want to have the shoulda coulda woulda’s later. Although I’m sure we all do about some stuff 🙂 You have such a supportive wife by the way 🙂
Py Korry
April 8, 2008 at 3:35 pmPunning Pundit: I’m pretty sure you know Jason Teramoto, right?
And Dot … you’re right! I DO have a supportive wife. 🙂
Beenzzz
April 8, 2008 at 8:02 pmI think no matter what institution you happen to be teaching, there will be disengaged students. It just comes with the territory. This seems to be a good opportunity. Both my brother and father teach at universities and it does open doors for them.
Lalunas
April 14, 2008 at 11:23 amI guess you can follow your heart.