Most importantly, I expect that you will treat me, and each other, with kindness and consideration at all times. In return, I promise to treat each of you with the same kindness and consideration.
Please know that the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for everyone. It's difficult for every student. It's difficult for every professor. Some people may play it cool. Some people may manage things that seem - on the outside- to be effortless. But on the inside, we are all stressed and worried. We will all have moments of feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
If you feel stressed and anxious, you are not alone. By the same token, if someone hides their stress, that doesn't mean they don't feel it.
Our biggest task is to simply put one foot in front of the other and do our best while being good to each other. That is all we can ask.
Assuming that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy, I expect you to:
Check into all communication channels daily. This includes
Canvas
Plan to be in class during class time, whether that's in-person or remote
Make a good-faith effort to keep participating
If I need to update due dates or assignment details, I will share that info through Canvas. I expect that you will read, understand, and take appropriate action, if any.
Communicate with me openly and proactively whenever something is unclear, or you encounter any difficulty.
I am sensitive to the fact that students have been impacted by the pandemic in diverse ways. If there is something special about your situation that you need me to know about, please reach out.
Assuming that my family and I remain safe and healthy, you can expect that I will:
Communicate as clearly and transparently as I know how
Tell you what to expect during each class period as far in advance as I can possibly manage. This is easier now that we're beginning our third semester of the pandemic -- but in the event of another lockdown or other external disruption, all I can promise is to do my best.
Work with you to solve any problems that come up, always treating you with respect, kindness, and compassion
Work in good faith to correct any errors that I might make
Do my very best to give you the best learning experience possible, given the circumstances
Perfection!
On average, a single online course requires 5-7 months to develop. Up until March 2020, I had never taught online before. I teach three courses at a time, and since March 2020 all have had to be remote (at least in part). Teaching remotely requires different skills than teaching in a classroom. Yes, the basic principles are the same, but the implementation is completely different. Three semesters in, I am definitely getting better at it. But I'm far from perfect.
My goal is to bring you the absolute best learning experience that I possibly can achieve. I have done my very best, and I will continue to do my very best. But, I would be dishonest if I promised you perfection. Truthfully, I am a human being, so even under the best of circumstances I don't achieve perfection, and this school year is far from the best of circumstances!
All I can promise that I will do my very best to bring you a rigorous and meaningful learning experience. That I will correct mistakes when I make them. And that I will treat you with kindness and consideration at all times.
If you feel that I, or any of your professors, are not communicating enough, or being unclear, or asking too much, or not asking enough, or screwing up in some other way, please DO communicate with us about it. But also remember that this is as hard for us as it is for you, so when you talk to us, please be kind! ๐๐๐