Comments on California Poet: "Qualifications? What Qualifications? We Don't N...

Dear Sheryl,I deleted my previous comment because ...

2008-03-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Sheryl,

I deleted my previous comment because of the large number of typing errors (sadly,
I'm anal retentive when it comes to such things).

First, you're a shining example of someone whose commitment to creative writing spurred to you to seek an MFA after you already possessed a PhD in American Literature: That's commitment with a capital C! In contrast, an unethical person would simply say to him- or herself, "Well, I have PhD in Lit, so I'm sure I can teach creative writing."

And I'm sorry to say that that's the problem in the community college system: For some less than logical reason, some faculty assume they can teach creative writing--or any other course in their department--simply because they have a graduate degree in English. And those whose degrees are specifically in literature or composition--for rare are the schools that give generic English graduate degrees--should know better.

I'm sorry to say that we have a huge disconnect between community colleges and four-year institutions when it comes to who is and isn't qualified in creative writing. For some reason, some community college faculty have conveniently forgotten that they immeasurably benefited when their former alma maters didn't allow just anyone to teach anything.

On the other hand, some community college faculty are ethical when they select their teaching assignments and don't sign up for creative writing classes even though they might have contractual seniority rights to teach any course in their departments' curriculums. We certainly need more ethical faculty in our system who will also stand up for what's right.

Considering the course articulation agreements most community colleges have with four-year institutions and systems, I wouldn't be surprised if those at the four-year level review and ultimately revoke these articulation agreements when it comes to creative writing courses and other specialized courses offered by English departments.

After all, someone has to look out for these students'.

All the best,

Robert

I have to add that there was also a 15 week semest...

2008-03-27T00:05:00.000-07:00

I have to add that there was also a 15 week semester!!!

Robert,I worked at a community college in Colorado...

2008-03-26T23:49:00.000-07:00

Robert,
I worked at a community college in Colorado and it was very simililar. I taught sections of developemental reading, developmental math and developmental writing. I finally got out of the one dept. and got to teach a poetry workshop in the English dept., but I am now with a different institution. My take in Colorado was that the money was a major concern and student learning despite it always being talked about came last. Now I am at a University with more money and more focus on education. In Colorado there is no money at the community college level and I mean NO MONEY. I've seen the similar seniority thing, but worse than that it seems if someone is married to someone or dating or you know, suddenly they are a creative writing teacher. Poof! It's really unbelievable. The semester I got the poetry workshop someone else was teaching 3 creative writing courses! No book, no PhD, no MFA! Lord! I wold like to say more about the whole developmental ed thing too. They wanted me to teach multiple sections 3 in each subject in multiple semesters (5 week, 7 week, 10 week, 12 week). Also I taught GED! They encouraged non-native speakers to do what they called accelerated courses. So, students who could barely work up the nerve to speak to me were taking 2 writing courses simultaneously in a 5 week term!!! It was UNBELIEVABLE. And worse than this, the college was noted for its "successful" program! Geez. The guy that ran the one campus was awesome and a wonderful teacher, but the other campus was a nightmare. I felt immoral teaching there.

Sorry to get off subject. But yeah, down with the b.s.