musik
New member
Posts: 10
|
 |
« on: July 07, 2011, 01:48:05 PM » |
|
Hi all,
I just wanted to get some feedback on this.
I currently teach as an adjunct at four different schools and am thinking about adding a fifth this fall. Essentially, I am at a different school almost every single day of the week, and a couple I double up on in one day.
Now, I am very happy to have the work, and in my discipline(music), teaching as an adjunct at several schools is common, but how many are too many? At what point should I start to ask for a larger load at a school in order to not feel the need to seek out employment at others?
Thoughts?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
_touchedbyanoodle_
|
|
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2011, 02:34:09 PM » |
|
Why on Earth would you not ask for more classes at any of the individual schools? How many classes are you teaching at each?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist." -George Carlin
|
|
|
|
polly_mer
|
|
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2011, 06:10:15 PM » |
|
You've passed the point at which I would have asked for a heavier load at the current schools.
Unless those schools are somehow all on the same block with similar procedures, I would think that more than two schools is too many, but that's just me who was at my limit when I had five classes at two different schools.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you haven't got either the anatomical or metaphorical balls to post your own question on a pseudonymous internet forum, then academia is the wrong job for you.
|
|
|
voxprincipalis
Foxaliciously Cinnamon-Scented (and Most Poetic)
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 17,444
Has potentially infinite removable wallets
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2011, 07:30:31 PM » |
|
Hi all,
I just wanted to get some feedback on this.
I currently teach as an adjunct at four different schools and am thinking about adding a fifth this fall. Essentially, I am at a different school almost every single day of the week, and a couple I double up on in one day.
Now, I am very happy to have the work, and in my discipline(music), teaching as an adjunct at several schools is common, but how many are too many? At what point should I start to ask for a larger load at a school in order to not feel the need to seek out employment at others?
Thoughts?
What are you teaching? Applied or classroom? That makes a difference. VP |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you need me, I'll be hiding under a rock until mid-August. Try not to need me, unless you come bearing Chinese food.
|
|
|
dismalist
Hardly a
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 1,447
Often wrong, never in doubt.
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2011, 07:46:10 PM » |
|
OP, been there done that! More variety of institutions let's you spread the risk. If they're far from home, there's an extra cost involved. Only you can know the proper tradeoff.
I would only concentrate on fewer institutions if there is some reasonable expectation of continuity.
Best of luck,
Dismalist
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
We have met the enemy, and they is us.
--Pogo
|
|
|
|
retrenchment
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2011, 09:32:34 PM » |
|
I would rather teach five days a week at five different schools than five days a week at two different schools, figuring that the odds of one or more situations improving (most likely through though unionizing) are better. If and when that happens, you can then pick and choose.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
sine_nomine
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2011, 12:21:18 PM » |
|
In my adjunct days I worked at six schools in a four-year period, but at no more than three in any given term. Doing so worked against me with as least one search committee member after I finished my degree and began seeking a TT position. He was concerned that I "moved around so much." My apparent lack of loyalty to institutions that were making only a semester-by-semester commitment to me, as well as my willingness to sell myself to the highest bidder to make ends meet, were apparently too "mercenary" for this gentlemen (who must not have ventured from the sanctity of his office for eons; finding himself face-to-face with the harsh realities of economic life in modern universities, he no doubt tottered back to his sanctuary with much harrumphing).
Realistically speaking, though, if you can manage working at five different schools in a single term, then why not? Asking for more teaching responsibilities at any of these schools is something best done when you know the school has staffing needs to address, but reminding the chair of your availability and qualifications should any needs arise could be done anytime.
Best of luck to you!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
veleda
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2011, 03:07:51 PM » |
|
As a mercenary, I feel that I need to teach wherever I'll get a class and therefore a paycheck. In the Fall I'm usually at just two schools, but in the Spring I'm at four. I need to pay my rent.
I do feel a sense of loyalty to what I think of as my "core" schools, but I absolutely know that they can only be as loyal to me as their enrollment and departmental needs will allow. I think if the logistics work, why not teach where you can?
V.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
|
|
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2011, 04:19:02 PM » |
|
It is too many when you fail to meet your responsibilities. If you can handle it and want/need the money, go right ahead.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
jerseyjay
|
|
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2011, 01:13:09 AM » |
|
This really depends on the discipline, the level of classes, and how many preps.
My record was five classroom classes at two schools and five online classes at three different online schools. There were about five or six different preps.
However, it drove me crazy and I stopped. (Crazy not being an overstatement. I came this close to a nervous breakdown.)
Last semester, after my department chair begged me to take another section, I taught five classroom classes at one school and four online for two different schools. However, there were only three different preps, and, at least for the online schools, this was the umpeenth time I'd taught the classes, so there was less actual preparatory work (and the books were the same as for my classroom classes).
This upcoming semester I am teaching four classroom classes and probably three online classes. But again, they are all classes I've taught before and there are only three preps.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
retrenchment
|
|
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2011, 09:20:59 AM » |
|
What are you teaching? Applied or classroom? That makes a difference.
VP
If you teach applied music, you should be visible enough by now to have a practice in your own home or nearby rented studio. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
prytania3
|
|
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2011, 12:59:14 PM » |
|
It is too many when you fail to meet your responsibilities. If you can handle it and want/need the money, go right ahead.
Bulls***. Adjuncts should teach as much as they want. If they want 10 classes at 10 schools--fine. For what they are paid, they shouldn't be expected to deliver too much. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Clowns, I tell you. Clowns.
|
|
|
voxprincipalis
Foxaliciously Cinnamon-Scented (and Most Poetic)
Member-Moderator
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 17,444
Has potentially infinite removable wallets
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 11, 2011, 01:43:10 PM » |
|
What are you teaching? Applied or classroom? That makes a difference.
VP
If you teach applied music, you should be visible enough by now to have a practice in your own home or nearby rented studio. Not necessarily. Some people don't want to teach kids, and if you run a studio out of your house, 95% of your students will be children. And if you are hoping to end up with a college teaching job in the future, experience teaching children is not of very much value. Adjuncting is much better. I never wanted to teach kids. I was either going to teach at the college level or not teach at all (and find some other professional career track in music). VP |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you need me, I'll be hiding under a rock until mid-August. Try not to need me, unless you come bearing Chinese food.
|
|
|
|
retrenchment
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2011, 02:34:36 PM » |
|
It is too many when you fail to meet your responsibilities. If you can handle it and want/need the money, go right ahead.
Bulls***. Adjuncts should teach as much as they want. If they want 10 classes at 10 schools--fine. For what they are paid, they shouldn't be expected to deliver too much. Just think of the money I've missed out on by being conscientious. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
larryc
Hu hatin'
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 18,285
Eschew the hu.
|
|
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2011, 03:13:02 PM » |
|
It is too many when you fail to meet your responsibilities. If you can handle it and want/need the money, go right ahead.
Bulls***. Adjuncts should teach as much as they want. If they want 10 classes at 10 schools--fine. For what they are paid, they shouldn't be expected to deliver too much. Pry, I think we said the same thing. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
