Greetings, my friends. I have a short tale (and an important lesson) to share with you… 1/11
As some of you know, a lot of my work focuses on shedding light on and helping address growing precarity among students. However, I am always mindful of growing precarity among faculty, especially adjunct faculty. 2/11
When I first began my teaching career (a year ahead of completing my PhD), I started as an adjunct. Later, even with the desired letters beside my name, I strung together full time work by driving between 3 institutions (sometimes on the same day). 3/11
I worked more than full time but, as an adjunct at 3 institutions, I was not paid anywhere near a full time wage. It was a struggle that went unchallenged by my competence as an instructor. 4/11
Even as I won teaching awards, my limited availability to serve on committees was held against me at one institution while I was treated as a second class citizen at another. 5/11
Spending time in the classroom and in office hours having meaningful conversations with students is what lifted me during this time. It affirmed for me that this was where I wanted to channel my energy and ability. 6/11
Years later I made the choice to add a longish commute to my day in exchange for a supportive work environment and better mental health. Having that choice was itself a luxury but it was a choice I have never regretted. 7/11
My own journey into academia was sparked by a caring instructor who went well beyond expectations and made a lonely and terrified international student feel at home. I have never forgotten that feeling. It is the reason why I know my work matters and can make a difference. 8/11
So as I gear up to celebrate yet another #ScholarSunday, I am mindful that compassion has a vastly greater impact factor than scholarship. 9/11
Compassion for students, most of whom are dealing with pressures that most of us never had to, or not at this scale. And compassion for my colleagues, especially my gifted and hardworking adjunct colleagues. 10/11
So if you enjoy a tenured position, please use your voice to advocate for your untenured colleagues and to model trust and respect for students. It makes more of a difference than you may realize. 11/Fin
