Member-only story
I Have Decided to Stop Being the Michael Scott of Academe
In addition to being a librarian, I am an adjunct instructor at a small liberal arts college. I teach English 101, an introductory writing course.
Recently, a few students asked me if I will be teaching English 102 next semester. This happens in every class. It is a moment I look forward to. I like their disappointment when I answer that, sorry, I don’t teach 102.
It means they like me. They really like me.
This year, one student took things a step further, confirming a suspicion that had long lurked behind this end-of-semester ritual. The student said he wished I taught 102 because . . .
I’m an easy instructor.
He had read this on my RateMyProfessors page. It was why he signed up for my 101 class.
I have taught at this college for nearly ten years. My student evaluations are always positive. My boss keeps giving me classes. There are no complaints on my record.
I haven’t looked at RateMyProfessors in years, but there was a time when I did, scanning its Yelp-style hubbub for usable feedback. There were comments about my clothes. My voice. My sense of humor.
And, yes, comments about being easy.
