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My 7 Most Unforgettable Moments as a University Teacher
1. “Why did you miss the exam? We’re not supposed to give you a makeup exam. You missed class a couple of days, too, and didn’t send me an e-mail!”
“Teacher, I… I had a miscarriage and had to go to the hospital. I didn’t know I was pregnant! I’d already broken up with my boyfriend.”
Guess what? Of course I allowed a makeup exam! And I had a rare chance to counsel her a bit.
Note: In Mexico most students are used to calling us “teacher” as they do in Spanish (“maestra”), no matter whether I usually told them they could call me Mrs. Hord or even just Margie.
2. Another student came to beg me to take his exam later; it was the following day. His grandma had died and in Mexico burials usually take place within about 24 hours. My coordinator said “No! His family will understand, and his grandma no longer cares.” I told him her decision and he almost cried. “I’m of Chinese descent on my mother’s side and these events are extremely important in our culture!”
Guess what? I went against my coordinator’s indications.
3. At one university, I learned that full-time profs had to dress formally to “give an example” to students who planned to be professionals one day. The rest of us were given indications to be somewhat formal, something…
