What's Next?

Although I knew Smith Banks for only a few short years, he was, for me, the heart of Statesboro and Bulloch County. I met him soon after I moved here from Pennsylvania in 2005, and I learned quickly that he had the answer to any question I had about Statesboro. His memory, the turn of his words, the twinkle in his eye, and the ready smile were his trademarks, and he welcomed everyone with stories about his life. We often joked that we must be related somewhere along the line, since his family name – “Brannen” – was so similar to mine. I was privileged to have the opportunity to write about him for the Statesboro Magazine, a 1200-word piece that delved into his collection of southern folk art. He donated a sizeable number of pieces to the Betty Foy Sanders Art Department at Georgia Southern, resulting in a southern folk art gallery for student learning and public enjoyment. Smith held history in his heart, and I can identify with that. His imagination and his vision kept his ancestors...

I am having one of those times--they usually last a week or two--when I am not really sure who I am. Am I a writer? A teacher? A mom? A counselor? A grandma? A caregiver? I'm making gradual changes in my life, and this week they are not changing smoothly. This week I am no longer a teacher, just a grader. I have taught five classes all semester long, and this is the week the s**t hits the fan. Everyone wants an A this week, but no one wanted to work hard and get extra help on papers 1-4 during the semester. No one wanted to arrange a spectacular portfolio two weeks ago week, but today they want an A. Some will settle for a B, and some will grimace at their C. If you didn't come to class--too bad. Then I become a counselor. "But Mrs. B, I tried so hard ..." says the person who is having their view of my office. "But I was sick so much of the semester ..." Well, I cannot do much for you at the end of the semester. My counselor shingle is now DOWN. A writer? We...

Final exams in writing-intensive courses are neither appropriate nor necessary. All they do is ensure that the professor WILL be sitting for hours on end grading writing that is not significantly different from the student's last paper, which was propbably handed in that same week. That said, I believe that any time I give a student an opportunity to write, it's a good experience for them; however, timed writing is not always their best work, and it is seldom reflective of how they will be writing in the rest of their academic career. Putting students through timed writing exercises in a week when they are sleep-deprived and concerned about the four other exams they are taking doesn't reflect their true abilities. I propose that the College of Liberal Arts, or whatever authority oversees this policy, make a change for the coming semester. I don't want to ignore University policy, but I don't want to do this fruitless grading exercise any more, either. And now that I...