A "Pay It Forward" Moment As A Professor
I’ve discussed how much I enjoy being a criminal justice professor before, but this post is for my most recent class.
My fall 2023 class was truly the blessing that I didn't know I needed at a time that I really needed it. This semester proved to be a bit challenging for me because not only did I start a new job with less wiggle room and personal freedoms than what I’m used to, but I also experienced a big change within my family that still affects my day-to-day existence. Topic for a different day!
When starting out the semester I was optimistic that this semester would go just like every other semester had gone. I would work full-time, prepare to teach over the weekend while completing therapy sessions and therapy notes, and then teach part-time a couple of days a week while still finding time to write and read, two things that I really enjoy.
I had my schedule down to a science, but this year was another reminder of, “it’s not our plan but God’s” because everything was thrown out of the window when:
I ran into a less than favorable, equitable, and honest job (and management team)
I went up against a terrible agency at a time that I truly needed my focus to be elsewhere
I had to deal with that black-lash while planning a move and re-acclimation
AND,
There was simply no justice in any of it.
All while my personal life continued to “personal life”
All of that stemmed from a previous work experience that truly deserves a segment of it’s own because I don’t think that we talk enough about toxic and discriminatory work environments that prey on people and then use “business as usual” to explain away terrible behaviors. The bulk of client complaints regarding dissatisfaction, depression, anxiety, stress related to harassment and fear of reliation should not all come from the same agency! But again, a topic for another day.
Let us not forget that this post is simply a “thank you” to my Fall 2023 Criminal Justice class!
There’s Beauty in Difference
I got to be very me in the classroom this semester. Quirks and all, random old-lady jokes, and moments of disclosure had space within my university classroom this term and it was pretty freeing to be on that level with my students.
I think it’s more of a testament to my students, however, because they allowed for such things while still acknowledging that there were still expectations for them as students. To say that I was very proud of how my class handled the twists and turns of this semester, as well as the anxiety that came with taking tests (some for the first time on campus since COVID) would be to say too little.
While I have my qualms with the education system as it stands and how it truly allows for too many necessary skills to fall by the wayside, my students, as they were, were so open to learning and being better students. They took constructive criticism and other criticism; they took notes; they asked questions; and they were able to have real-world discussions that helped with their understanding of more beyond the content of the class.
As a lifelong learner, I’m always looking for the best ways to approach teaching and leading the future generations of leaders, learners, workers, athletes, etc. This class certainly taught me more about what students need and some of the best ways to meet them in the middle.
Huge thank you and forever gratefulness to my Fall 2023 class, you know who you are.
Best of luck in the future.
Bree