Hard to write a couple of times a month when burn-out is high, the sands are shifting, and we are just so damned tired of this pandemic. So, as we near the end of the term, I thought of a way to anchor my observations. Besides, the only thing I've done is miss my own, totally arbitrary self-imposed...deadline. (see below)
I will start a series- My top five things I learned about teaching in a pandemic:
When to be flexible about deadlines. Assignments needs deadlines, but why is that? Here’s the tension for me- I work in a business that leads to an opening night. Sometimes to meet that opening night we have to make compromises, or push a little harder, ask for help, go over budget, or cut an idea altogether. Too much of this can lead to blown budgets, fatigue, illness, work-life imbalance or, my least favorite, getting something done to just get it done. In a utopian world, we would each be paid a good living wage and work and practice and create and when whatever the show was ready, we would have an “opening night.” But that’s not how it works...among many other reasons, how could we sell tickets in advance? So, in the classroom, we have to train for “opening night.” This means assignments need life-dates AKA "deadlines."
This year, I taught Advanced Costume Design for the first time, so I have no prior experience to gauge what is typical. There were 2 short assignments, 1 medium assignment and 2 bigger projects. Not once did all 8 students turn their projects “on time.” BUT, every single one of them communicated in advance if they were going to be late. Because they communicated and engaged so well, I decided for this semester, I wouldn’t lower the grade if they needed a few more days. There are just too many stressors and I didn’t want creativity becoming another one, or compromise immune systems by not resting enough. It meant I had to eliminate the on-line peer review, but because the focus of the course was on process, students could share work before it was 100% completed during class. This past year, I’ve grown quite accustomed to being “ghosted” in other ways. But in this class, communication has been stellar; I didn’t have to wonder. Near perfect attendance from everyone all term. (I’d like to think that it’s because I made it clear I would not berate anyone for missing work...so much more important to show up). Isn’t that what we want in the profession? For folks to communicate, work with foresight and know in advance, not the night before, that they might need more time/help/accommodation? We’re still chasing opening night (and right now, chasing the end of the term...I gotta turn in grades). So what do we give up to be ready for opening night/due dates?
For this class, a real sense of community was built, even on zoom, because they showed up. Cameras may have been off sometimes, especially now as we near the end of the term, but they showed up, shared their work, and supported each other. I’m going to try this next year, hopefully on the other side of the pandemic: Still four or five projects, and this time I will mark a project down if it’s turned in late (10% per week). BUT, at the beginning of the term, each student will be issued one “free extension” card which they may use on any one project in the semester. My hope is this will send the signal that timeliness is best. In the profession, it indicates a respect for the theatrical ecosystem and your collaborators’ time. It also provides a little grace without making a habit of incomplete or late work. And honestly, sometimes we just need the person with authority to cut us a little slack, (even if it's our own self).
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