FREE VERSE Poem by Ashley Patrice

This will be in your Student Opinion Survey

Do you look at a student’s physique
and internally debate their daily diet?

I do not find a student’s forehead attractive!
Where else do you expect me to look?!

Do you assume a student’s intelligence
based on the color or the texture of their hair?

Your exterior choices are a reflection of your intellect.

Do you treat your scheduled classes
as a personal counseling session?

My syllabus breaks the ice
about my academic interests.
Icebreakers are about
my students’ personal lives.

Do you effectively communicate your expectations, procedures,
and policies on the syllabus throughout the semester?

Don’t be ridiculous! You would know
if you looked at the syllabus besides
the first day! It can’t get more effective than that.

Have you ever wondered if you are talking to yourself
when giving a lecture to a full classroom?

The information is best learned when being taught to others.

Do you provide your students with information
and materials relevant to the course goals to help them learn?

My office hours create successful students in my course!

Has a conversation or event between you and a student
taken place during your office hours that you are not proud of?

My office is a ‘safe space’ as the kids say.

Do you take pride in failing your students? Are you proud
that no student in the history of your teaching passed your class?

A’s are not the apples falling from the tree.

Do you believe students negatively critique your classroom
behavior or teaching techniques to your colleagues?

A lie will do one hundred laps around the world before the truth ties its shoes.