End of Term

It's the end of another term, and I'm just shocked at how time flies. I spent the last few days preparing the final exams, checking quizzes and exams, grading projects and finally computing the final grades. I always find this time stressful. We only have a few days to do everything including submitting the grades. This time we only had 4 days to administer the exams, check the exams and submit the grades! I still feel like a zombie after the all-nighter I pulled off last night. (Well, it wasn't all schoolwork, I had a Management Committee presentation scheduled this morning too).

The most difficult task for a teacher I think is giving a grade that the student truly deserves. That includes the decision whether to pass or fail a student. I have always been clear about my expectations from the start of classes, I always wonder why students are still shocked when they receive a failing grade. Don't get me wrong, giving a failing grade is one of the things that I hate doing most, but I do it when it is necessary.

This term, I've had several cases where students have exceeded the allowed absences. That is the most unforgiveable for me and I seldom give considerations for this. I also do not give considerations for those who lack the requirements, especially quizzes. I mean, the least that a student should do is to take all the quizzes. They are always scheduled in advance. But would you believe me when I say that there are still students who miss these quizzes? I really hate them. I don't allow make-up quizzes unless there is death in the family or the student himself is confined in the hospital. Also, I keep strict deadlines for projects and do not accept late projects. I know that my subjects are not easy, but I expect students to at least comply with the requirements. I try to adjust exam results as long I think it is but fair to do so. In many ways, I consider myself a very considerate teacher.

It is hard to be a fair teacher, and I'm still learning even after three years of teaching. Sometimes I still think of students who I should have or shouldn't have passed. But I guess the bottomline is that the students are in school to learn --- and if they don't give enough effort , they will not learn, and I would have failed as a teacher if I allow them to complete the term without learning anything.

After the distribution of grades today, I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to another term!