Advice for Young Teachers

Awhile back, we came to a shattering realization: We are no longer a "young teacher."  No longer--if ever--the "subject of schoolgirl fantasies," we need not implore young co-eds not to stand so close to us, as they show no inclination to do so.  Taking lemons and making lemonade, though, we choose to accentuate the positive and mix metaphors freely along the way.  Not being a young teacher, you see, gives us disposition to write sage columns with portentous titles like "Advice for Young Teachers."

Herewith, the first installment:

For far too long, we thought the best way to engage students was to come across as friendly, non-threatening, easy-going.  Indeed, we still project an aura of casual, easy-goingness.  In the past, though, we extended this mild-mannered attitude to our practices when it came to homework.  Specifically, while we have always assigned deadlines for student papers and other homework, we would always be willing to extend the deadlines if students pleaded ignorance or overwork or the ubiquitous dying grandmother.  After all, we reasoned, the important thing is that the students did the work, even if it reached us a bit later than we would have desired. This brings us to our first piece of advice:

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE A DICK

If an assignment has a deadline, stick to that deadline.  Accept no excuses.  Our simple policy, stated on the first day of class, is as follows: Assignments are due when they are due.  We allow students to hand things in one "class" late (for a significant reduction in grade).  If the late work is not ready to be handed in at the beginning or the class after the stated due-date, it is not accepted.  Period.  Students will protest.  Students will plead.  Students will call you a dick (usually behind your back, but who knows).  Stick to your rules.

If you let students hand in late work, they will simply do it again and again.  And it's really not fair.  It's not fair to the students who did the work on time.  It's not fair to students in your other classes, whose work may be neglected if you're too busy grading late work.  Most importantly, it's not fair to you.  You've got enough to do.  And, as we explain to our students, you have satisfied your obligation by stating your deadlines clearly and returning student work in a timely manner.  You have no need to extend yourself further for students who care less about their work than you do.

As for the whole "dick" thing: If it makes you feel any better, a lot of these students think you're a dick no matter what.  You might as well earn it.