Happy?

The Newbie
Originally uploaded by Tokyorosa

So my niece called me tonight after her English class to tell me that she got a 120% on her last assignment. She was quite excited and happy, so that's good. But seriously, who gives out 120% grades? Ridiculous.

Just yesterday while we were studying chemistry, my niece told me that her English instructor, on the day the assignment was due, told the class that while the assignment was due that day, if the students made any mistakes on it they'd receive a zero. However, the instructor said, if they wanted to hand it in at the next class meeting, they could do that but they'd get 5 points deducted for a late assignment.

Ridiculous.

My niece felt very disrespected being talked to that way by the instructor. Yeah, I know it could mean that my niece is a little thin skinned, but I don't think so. I think her instructor is--how do I say this politely? I think her instructor is shitty. First of all, talking to students that way is unprofessional. Yeah, I could give the instructor the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe she was joking with the students, but even if it was a joke, it's a joke that reeks of immaturity. My niece takes school pretty seriously and she sweats her assignments and she wants to do well. But this instructor doesn't seem to take her job very seriously, and I've read the assignments that she gives out. It's pretty amazing that this woman has a job teaching English. She's definitely not an exception to the "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach" rule.

I told my niece that while she has to behave respectfully toward her instructor (regardless of whether or not she actually respects the instructor, and apparently regardless of whether or not the instructor deserves any respect), that the reality of college is that this instructor is not doing my niece a goddamned favor, my niece is paying this instructor to teach her a necessary skill. We talked about whether or not my niece should take her concerns to the dean of the English department. I knew she probably wouldn't want to, but I do want her to know that it is an option if an instructor ever crosses a line.

Because this instructor? Ugh. She's a real gem. This is the same woman whose Facebook name is something like "Dave's Sugar Tits." (Dave is her husband's name.) So. Mature.

Cute?

That photo up there is of The Newbie. My niece sent it to me while sitting across the table from me at the cafe where we study. She's getting to be pretty cute. I can't wait until she's talking. Then she might actually be interesting, too.