First Day of Classes, Again

Pretty light day---only one out of my three classes and office hours that were unattended.  Tomorrow is full so I spent a good deal of time preparing for it and doing paperwork for students wishing to enter closed sections.

I do feel a weight with the end of Break, that my life will be very strictly scheduled for the next three months.  On the other hand my mind is sharper with the adrenalin.  It has been so hard to focus since December final exams.

Always a trade-off.

Teaching an Overload

Well, in my nearly last act as department chair I am assigning myself an overload.  I jumped through all sorts of hoops to make sure that I was clear ethically, since it means more pay for myself.  But it is a class that only a handful of faculty can teach, none had classes to trade off, none wanted to take on the overload except for myself.

I will like having more money with a child getting braces.  It is more work, but I really do like teaching, far better than the chair administrivia.  I think that i will enjoy it.  I also think that I will lose more sleep.  Sigh.

Staffing

After preregistration I had five sections for the Spring without instructors.  I was busy dealing with an adjunct who had angered all of his students and didn't address it until December.

Two faculty on maternity leave, and one adjunct not coming back, with three sections added at preregistration.  What a mess.

It's been hanging over my head, through our Christmas travels, through a math conference out of town.  This should be the last time that it is my responsibility, and I will not miss it.  Staffing has hung over my breaks and vacations for over half my time at the university.

It's always worked out, but every new hire is a risk.  We've had very bad experiences these past three years.  The ones who have stayed have been good.

I'm mentally drained.  Glad that it seems to be resolving.