I’m having conferences with my Bozo Twins tomorrow. Hopefully, these conferences will include my department head and the head chef.
I came home this afternoon to find these two lovely human beings had sent me some email. I was horrifed at what they’d written.
I saw Tad’s first, and responded to his little whining fit with a very detached, professional note. Then, I opened Dave’s email. That pushed me over the proverbial edge, and I composed this to my boss and the head chef:
Dear Joe:
I’m having some problems with two students of mine, Dave and Tad, and I need some advice as to how best to deal with it.
I’m offended by the way these students interact with me. Their emails are inappropriate and disrespectful. I offer the latest two as examples:
On Mar 18, 2007, at 4:37 PM, Tad wrote:
I put a lot of thoght into this. I hope i recive hight than a 40.
On Mar 18, 2007, at 7:04 PM, Dave wrote:
internet was being a jew today sorry heres my essay
I responded to Tad’s email with this:
Tad,
The amount of thought you put into something, while very important, is not the only basis for your grade. Basic grammar and mechanics also play into the score your work receives, as well as how clearly and articulately you make your point. Your paper will be graded against the rubric I gave out earlier in the week.
Please print your paper for me and bring it into class tomorrow. I don’t have a printer available to me at the moment, and I did request that the papers be delivered in class on Monday.
Thank you
-Mrs. Chili
I didn’t respond to Dave’s offensive comment because, frankly, I didn’t have any idea how to adequately address it. I feel as though he should be called on this kind of thing, though – ESPECIALLY in college. It would be irresponsible of me to let him think that this kind of behavior to ANYONE – much less a teacher or a boss – is acceptable.
I would appreciate ANY guidance you can give me here. I recognize that this is the end of the term, and that these students will likely never see the inside of my classroom again, but I still feel a responsibility to act in some way. It feels cowardly and immoral for me not to.
Thank you,
-Chili
I’m going into work early and hunting the bosses down. I cannot let this pass, and I need some witnesses (and, hopefully, some back-up) when I confront these two losers.
