...and we're back!

After starting this blog in late Fall semester, getting back to it after Winter break proved more difficult than expected! With four online classes (including one entirely new prep) my primary goal has been keeping my head above water. A few things in my classes could be improved mid-semester, but generally things are rolling right along... more on both of those in future posts.

What got me thinking about the blog again this morning was a post from a friend on Facebook: this time last year, as we were moving into the pandemic "pivot" (ugh, that word!) she started a discussion about what we could/should expect from ourselves as teachers. That FB post turned into a blog, which turned into an interview on NPR, and the rest is not-quite-yet history.

Though many of us are now more accustomed to teaching online, there are always new elements popping up that have surprised me. In the last week, I've found myself - there really is no better way to put this - mourning the lack of Spring break. Usually it's a significant part of my semester; I've taken students on 10-day trips:

(2018: students at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem)

I've also done some pretty spectacular research/personal interest trips:

(2017: Really bad selfie at Knossos, Crete with Alex Snow)

Either way, the break has always been a really great way to recharge, if not relax*, and come back ready to finish out the semester. This year, our two non-instructional days gave me a chance to catch up on grading before the influx of midterm essays, but not much else. 

I'm curious how everyone else is dealing with our uninterrupted semester: did you schedule a change in assignments around midterm? Are your students expressing any no-break angst? Or, have you thought about what you'll do if/when Spring break returns in future? I'm seriously considering another student trip for next year, if COVID allows, and have also tossed around the idea of my version of a faculty "fam" trip.

Alyssa
Teaching Assistant Professor
Religious Studies & Philosophy

* Note: No one would ever say that leading eight students around Jerusalem and the surrounding area is relaxing. Interesting, yes; worthwhile, absolutely; relaxing, nay.