Author: Realist

Tabula Rasa Sunday

The summer break is officially over startin’ tomorrow. So says the contract. The new contract.

Me, I’m gonna keep squeazin’ more summer activities into September and October (to make up for April and May).

Care to reflect on what you did/accomplished since classes let out in May? Seems like more than three months ago, right?

Did you do some travelin’ or stayed home and watched your garden grow?

Saw some old friends? Made some new ones?

Broke from your summer routine? Started a new one?

Lookin’ forward to the start of the Fall semester?

Got some new ideas you want to try out in your classroom?

Decided you’ll post more than just your syllabus on Blackboard?

Introducing a new text or book in a class? Thinkin’ about Kamran’s games for your class?

 

Have your say…

Thoughtful Tuesday

This may be the last, or next to last thoughtful Tuesday question for the summer, so I’ll try to make it count.

You may provide literal, metaphorical, whimsical, or philosophical answers to the following question:

What in the name of academic integrity does it mean to think outside the box?

For a bit of history on the phrase, go here. To quote the opening line from the web page:

‘Think outside the box’ originated in the USA in the late 1960s/early 1970s. It has become something of a cliche, especially in the business world, where ‘thinking outside the box’ has become so hackeyed as to be rather meaningless.

I hesitate to use the phrase for the simple reason that it has become a cliche in my book.

Your thoughts?

Que$tion about the $pecial Announce

You’ve gotten the email and perhaps some colorful sheets in the mail detailing the payroll changes to be made. I feel like I gots no voice in the matter, even though it is my paycheck. Very kind of CCC to “advance” me some of my earned cash, but then I’m out when it comes time to get my last paycheck ’cause of the “advancement.” Yes, I can opt out. Thanks for the options that make it appear as if I have a choice to make. Can I get some more time to weigh my options? What’s the rush to do it this month? Why not next year so I have time to build-up some reserves in my mattress?

All these questions are too little, too late. But her’s one that may not be: Should I grieve this payroll change?

(more…)

Thoughtful Tuesday

Colleagues have confirmed that, yes, last week was the final week of the summer session.

With that in mind, I offer the following thoughtful question(s) of the day:

What do you like the most about teaching during the summer session compared to the Fall and Spring semesters?

What do you like the least about teaching during the summer session compared to the Fall and Spring semesters?

You are free to answer one or both if at any point in your career you’ve taught during the summer; it don’t necessarily have to be this past summer.

Stay cool peeps! (warm weather is making a comeback!)

Tabula Rasa Sunday

Let me see here…

Weather took a dip this past week.

Sightings of the Stanley Cup have been reported. (Trying to stay away from baseball talk these days.)

Did summer school end?

CPS dealing with financial difficulties.

Did CCC balance that new budget.

Politicians still out to blame the pension for the state’s fiscal woes. (Even though they raided it like the playground bully that takes all the kids lunch money by force and intimidation.)

The contract remains elusive, yet readable in PDF format. The irony…

Taking advantage of our cultural institutions?

On a trip somewhere?

What else? You tell me. Have your say.

Stay warm peeps!

Thoughtful Tuesday

A big thank you to all the movie recommendations last week. I’ll do my best to watch the movies that were not on my cinematic radar.

This week’s thoughtful questions come from Kamran!*
Feel free to reply here or scroll down and leave a reply in his excellent and thoughtful post.

[W]here are the interesting conferences that other faculty go to? What have you learned? What conferences would you recommend to other faculty?

Anonymity still encouraged, but not required.

Stay cool peeps!

*Kamran, I hope you don’t mind. Didn’t have time to ask for your consent. Feel free to trash this post if you don’t like what I did. I’ll completely understand. (Glad you’ve had the summer off to travel and attend this conference.)

First contact with the contract

As promised, I tolds you I’d keep an eye on our CCC website for the new contract and…

It’s been uploaded! Here is the link to the Collective Bargaining Agreement 7/16/13 – 7/15/18

I’ve not had time to compare it with the contract that just expired, but feel free to give it a glance.And feel free to share your initial comments. Or take your time –  you gots 5 years.

Thoughtful Tuesday

First, many thanks for the replies to last week’s thoughtful post. I benefited greatly from both perspectives.

To keep the collegiate dialogue active, here’s this week’s thoughtful question(s):

Is there a particular movie (it don’t have to be about school or teaching) that you think is a must-see for teachers? If so, what is the movie and why is it a must-see?

Is there a particular movie about school or teaching that you think is a never-ever-see because it does an injustice to the teaching profession? If so, what is the movie and why should I never-ever sees it?

I ask because I like watching my fair share of movies and am always looking for recommendations. I may just watch the non-recommended movies to verify your answer. No, I’m not a glutton for punishment. If that were the case I’d be watching the white sox all summer. Hee, hee…

Bonus points if it’s available on Netflix Instant! Me likes instant movies.

Anonymity still encouraged, but not required.

Stay cool peeps!

Any contact with the contract?

I gots this nagging concern about our new contract. I’ve had it since the day I voted. That was months ago.

We are now days away from the expiration of our current contract – July 15, 2013.

I’ve yet to see or hear what changes, if any, are being made to the new contract that will go into effect July 16, 2013.

Has anypeep heard anything about the AGREEMENT Between Board of Trustees of Community College District No. 508, County of Cook and State of Illinois and the Cook County College Teachers Union, Local 1600 AFT, AFL-CIO, Chicago, Illinois (Faculty and Training Specialists)?

I know union reps are busy in Springfield, but it shouldn’t be an excuse to put this matter off. It’s been kicked down the road one too many times.