[tips] Re: is there a community college remorse?

[Christine L. Grela]

I received my PhD from the University of Chicago, and there certainly was remorse from my advisors when I took a job at a community college. However, I think it was absolutely the right choice for me. I wanted to be a teacher, not a researcher, and after having taught at U of C as a graduate student, I much prefer the students I have in my classes now. Sure, I am frustrated at times with their lack of what I consider basic skills – but there is so much more room for improvement, and I think education means so much more to them. Plus, the educational landscape is changing. More and more students are coming to community college first just as a means of saving money given increasing educational costs. I’ve had a few students who (I think) could be at the U of C and compete well with the students there.   On the other hand, there are times (usually after I am in touch with someone from U of C), that I wonder what life would be like at a small liberal arts college (I got my BA from just such an institution), but unfortunately (or fortunately), there just aren’t that many of those in the area where I want to live. Furthermore, I am aware that research is becoming more and more of a requirement at those institutions as well. Not to say that I would never want to do ANY research (in fact, I’m still working with one of my past advisors at U of C), but I don’t want my career to depend on it.   So, overwhelmingly, I am happy with my choice. I enjoy my colleagues, the students, and the work – and my students definitely think my classes are challenging because I do my best to provide them with an education similar to what they would receive at any other institution.   Christine L. Grela Instructor  of Psychology McHenry County College 815-479-7725 [EMAIL PROTECTED]     --- To make changes to your subscription go to: http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips&text_mode=0&lang=english