I was about to tell her that she was in the wrong office. Her placement issues are not my problem. She should go to the registrar and leave me alone. I could then drink up her defeat, and if lucky I could relish a tear or two. But no, I had to remind myself, I'm taking a different path this semester. Enjoying the long pain. Students who require special permission early on are much more likely to crash and burn dramatically. And this one had great potential to fail colossally.
So, I smiled and told her I would be happy to let her in my class. Perhaps I smiled a little too much. She seemed to back away slightly before forcing herself to reach over and take the signed form from me. Ah, trying to put on a brave face. I look forward to watching her cry later in the semester. She would learn her place in the world, and it was far from intellectual pursuits.
These pathetic miscreants could not sniff out genuine help if their lives depended on it. How they manage to get their shoe laces tied in the morning is beyond me. That first impression is crucial, you have allowed her to think that you are there to help her, and the registrar and other faculty are there to keep her from succeeding. Like leading a lamb to slaughter. A storm is coming, Mr. Kind, and I am pleased to see that you are facilitating it. The students will fall.
ReplyDeleteYou are lucky you are not a student in one of my classes, Ms Coleman, for the flattery would not win you any points. If anything, it would make me scrutinize your grade all the more. Worse yet, you call me "Mr. Kind," despite knowing full well that I am a professor, and should be addressed as either "Prof. Kind" or "Dr. Kind." You are lucky you are protected by relative anonymity, or you would be made to pay for this insult.
ReplyDeleteNow, I realize you could just as easily come back and claim I used what may be an inappropriate title for you, but I do not know your status, while you know mine. For instance, if you were the Christina Coleman with a PhD in Pharmacognosy from the University of Mississippi that shows up on a google search, I would address you with the proper respect.
But that's what you lack, and that's what leads me to believe you do not have such credentials. Respect.
My apologies Dr. Kind. My enthusiasm for pain and torture allowed for me to forget myself.
ReplyDeleteBetween your willingness to learn respect and your eagerness to join the art, I am able to be somewhat forgiving.
ReplyDelete