[Perfesser]

I checked my email at work this morning and found one from a student I had in my freshman class this semester. (I gave the student a "C" in the course.) He thanked me for teaching him and said that I had helped him focus on what major he wanted to pursue (the one I teach in.) In 15 weeks this kid never said a word in class, although I did get him talking one time in the lab. Teachers live for this kind of feedback from students!!

Anyway, the reason I was at work early on a Saturday morning is because today was Commencement, and I get to march in the procession. (Some faculty would say "have to", but I hope I never get that tired of this job!!) The seating arrangement puts me in prime position to step out of my chair and greet the grads as they walk back to their seats after crossing the stage. That is part of the fun, watching your kids grow up <sniff> and leave home <sniff> to become taxpayers <yesssss!> This was the first time that I had some of my freshmen graduate. Guess I've been here awhile now!

There were a half-dozen or so students I have had in my classes over the years graduating today. One of them was getting her master degree. Took her a long time, but she kept at it. Later, I was in my office talking to a colleague when this girl came by with her family. (Talk about love!! They came up to our Minnesota winter from Mexico just to see their daughter graduate!!) Anyway, she invited me to join them for lunch. Well, who am I to hurt her feelings on a big day like this?

We went to an Italian place, one of the swanky watering holes where they don't use dollar signs or decimals on the menu. When the anti-pasto was passed around for an appetizer, I took three blue-cheese-stuffed olives, two small slices of provolone, a small slice of prosciutto, and a small piece of their homemade wheat sourdough bread. Took me 15-20 minutes to eat that, but we had loads of time.

I ordered a Pollo Gardiniera (chicken breast in a spicy sauce with a bacon and green onion risotto. Mmmmmm!!) When it came, I cut it in half and set one piece aside, then started on the other. Took me over half an hour to get that eaten, and I have a nice box in the fridge now. I paced my small amount to finish about the same time as everyone else, and several others took boxes home, so I didn't stand out. I toasted with water because I don't drink, and that was fine with everyone, too.

In addition to this girl, one of the others there was a masters student from Nepal I had a few years ago. Both of these students came to Thanksgiving with us the first year we started our tradition of inviting international students to dine with us. At one point, they turned to me and told me how much that had meant to them, to have a place to go and experience our American holiday traditions. I was humbled by the nice things they said.

So I've had a great day! I didn't get any grading done as I had intended when I stayed at the office, but this was better. I'm attaching a picture of these two students at our home that first year, and one taken today.

I know this has nothing to do with WLS, but you're family, and I have very little of that left!

CT

[molly4220]

Perfesser, you are an amazing person, and I can tell I sure would have loved to have you for one of my teachers, you just sound the teacher that goes the extra mile to help a student out. We need more teachers like you. You did very well on your outing with the students family. Nice pictures.
Judy

[decker1976]

Those are the kind of moments to savor. That those kids stopped in to see you, e-mailed a thank you to you, introduced their family to you says a lot about the kind of teacher you are as well as human being. Hats off to you Prof.

[dixieladybug]

C T the world needs more teachers like you. I admire you so much for the job you do. You have influenced many of your students and I know you are appreciated by many. Keep up the good work. I can see that you love your job and that is what it is all about. You and peanut are special people and I am happy to get to know you through this great site. Happy Holidays.... (((hugs))) dixie

[Manana]

The world needs more teachers like you who care.....

You and Peanut ROCK

Thanks for sharing the pictures and the wonderfully proud moment in your life.

[Queenofthenilerevisited]

CT that is absolutely fabulous. You are an amazing person that is why you are a professor. I have always believed it takes a very special person to be a teacher and you are definately one of them. Glad you had a great day!

[DocSanae]

What wonderful moments
I hope your students learned more than automotive mechanics from you.
I hope they learned what it is to care about others and help others better themselves.

[MsVickie]

Ditto on eveything that was said before I posted. We know your special and thank you for sharing with us. Atta Boy!

[Namma]

CT, this just shows us how improtant good teachers are to our children....
Thanks for what you give!!! I am happy you let us be a part of your day and you did put a little WLS info in, with what you had to eat!!!
Wish you many more days like this!

Lexie

[Perfesser]

Originally Posted by DocSanae

I hope your students learned more than automotive mechanics from you.
I hope they learned what it is to care about others and help others better themselves.

We don't train mechanics here, we're growing engineers to design and manufacture just about any product in the automotive industry. I do stress in many places the tremendous responsibility they will have for the health and safety of the general public, even in my freshman class. We talk about recalls past & current, shoddy designs, and even customer/supplier politics, and how there have been a whole lot of people killed needlessly as a result of failures in any of these areas.

I spent 25 years in the auto industry, starting by twisting wrenches at the dealerships, working up to manufacturing the parts I used to install (it's a lot cleaner at that end of the wrench!!) and I spent the last few years in industry working as the customer with suppliers all over Europe and North America. I draw heavily from that background to "lift the curtain" and let them see things about the industry they have never imagined.

These kids have no sense of historical perspective! Except for knowledge of a few '60s muscle cars, they think the world began when they were about 10 years old! When I get done with 'em, though, they've seen the development of design from Daimler's Motorwagen (1885) through technologies that are still in the labs. (And I cover the material in the text, too! )

CT