Adjuncts

This is so true.  Adjuncts make a great hourly salary.  It is a fantastic way to supplement a paycheck  or a pension but it is a crappy way to have to survive.  I have worked with adjuncts who go from school to school and teach 8 classes.  And, while many adjuncts are better teachers than their full time colleagues, they do their students a major disservice as they are not around for office hours and extra help.

I love being an adjunct but being an adjunct is not a career.

Some Observations



The college I have been adjuncting with for years had a meeting today. 

A young girl who was deemed "unacceptable" to teach in the math department at Packemin is going into her second semester there.  This young woman is a Packemin graduate, did her college work in one of the most prestigious institutes in the city and student taught at Packemin.  The college thinks she is great.

We broke into rooms to discuss course specific topics.  The room I was in had 24 people.  Last term Mr. AP said he would hire a math teacher from a certain ethnic group if there were good ones available.  The room I was in had 6 quality people and the other room had several more.  It's interesting that the college can find these people but he can't.

Five people at the college are former or current Packemin teachers.  All are well liked and respected in the college.  I wish I could say the same about the high school.  More here.

(picture--window in Jewish Museum Berlin)