On classroom alchemy and awkwardness
If I were a basketball coach, they would’ve sacked me mid-season. They would’ve blamed the lack of chemistry, the apathy, the mediocre …
The emotional roller coaster of graduate advising
I wasn’t supposed to be in the office that Tuesday morning, but the deadline for a conference paper was looming, and I …
That time I invited my class to negotiate the syllabus
“So how did this work in your other classes?” Gulp. “Well…” And then I admitted to my senior seminar students, on the …
On teaching the day after the election
I’ve never really dreaded my job before. I’ve been more and less excited to teach, of course. Handing back bad grades or …
Teaching professionalism one email etiquette lesson at a time
Years ago, I conducted research about the strategic uses of email at work. My colleague and I interviewed a bunch of folks …
Exam time: I’m not “giving” grades
“Where did you see the score??” “She just posted them.” “When? I just looked awhile ago.” “No, like just posted.” I listened as …
Best final ever: The Org Comm Amazing Race!
During my senior year of college, I took a class on creativity and communication. I vividly remember our final exam involving food …
Making a SacStatement
Whenever I teach about organizational culture, I start by asking students to identify important elements of their school culture like physical artifacts, …
Paper note-taking: Not old-school… genius
Is the pen mightier than the laptop? Apparently so. One of the first things my university students learn about me is that …
A grateful heart: That’s Professor Wrecking Ball to you
I’m used to grade complaints, pleas for leniency, well wishes, the occasional hug. But at the end of last semester, I was …