Spur of the Moment

When I went in to sign my pay agreement at the college where I just started teaching, the dean offered me another class. Maybe my timing was right; maybe no one else wanted it. He said I didn't have to feel obligated to say yes. In fact, he said it at least three times. Finally I said, in a nice way, that I'm pretty assertive and if I didn't want to do it I'd say so. I really had to think about it. The extra class time and pay would be nice. On the downside, however, it's on a different track than my current class even though it is the same course. What I mean by that is the class that started this week lasts twelve weeks and meets twice a week for an hour and a half. The offered class meets for six weeks, twice a week for three hours each time. This has the potential to be very confusing -- the six-week class will be accellerated (obviously) and I'll have different assignments due at different times. So I had decided that one class was enough after three years of not teaching.

Then, late this afternoon, I received an email from the dean saying I could choose the days and times I would teach the class -- if I chose to do it. I had actually typed out a "no thanks" email . . . but then I thought why the hell not? If it's on the same days as my other classes, it isn't costing any more in gas to get there, and I've been saying I need to be around people more. So I offered a time slot -- just one, take it or leave it -- and he agreed to it. It's perfect! I will teach the long class, have time for dinner and office hours (and grading), teach my second class and go home.

I don't know exactly what made me change my mind, but something told me taking the class was a good choice, especially when it was on my terms and my timetable. It will be a challenge, but I'm feeling up to it.