Time flies!
On March 20, 1996 I completed my last undergraduate class at UC Santa Barbara. Notably, I finished a quarter early — thanks to a handful of advanced placement courses in high school (and by petitioning to have some classes count for several requirements — strategy!).
My last class was English 40, English Literature 1800 to 1900, with Eloise Knapp Hay. Sadly, this was her last class as well: she passed away a few weeks later on April 30, 1996 of inoperable brain cancer. None of us knew she was sick nor would we have believed it had she told us. Incidentally, the author of her obituary, Frank McConnell — another teacher I had at UCSB — died three years after her. In class we mainly studied the works of romantic poets such as William Wordsworth and William Blake — in whose honor I launched “William Blake: Cybersongs of Innocence.”
It was also the last class for another student: we completed our final exams at the same time and we lingered in the hallway just outside of the classroom. I had a large brownie and, perhaps in an act of poetic preparation, she had a small bottle of champagne.
We celebrated our achievement in a platonic way befitting the class. We shared the brownie and champagne while reminiscing about our undergraduate experiences and discussing our post-graduation plans. It was a bohemian way to finish our romantic poetry class and our undergraduate college experience.
This date is also bittersweet because, while it marks a positive milestone, it also signifies my first step towards a time in my life that was often wrought with challenges and obstacles.
Thankfully, as a result of ongoing introspection and guidance from friends and colleagues, I am now aligned with my purpose in life: education. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been presented by institutions at which I am now teaching, have taught, or one day will teach. Each one gives me a unique perspective on teaching and allows me to work with exceptional students with bright futures. Most importantly each one also allows me to continue learning. And so, despite my mixed feelings about the years after I graduated, I look forward to the coming years with hope and optimism.
So, I’ve got a brownie — who has the champagne?
I hope I am one of your great students with a bright future.
I believe teaching is in your blood. You put up with a lot from us students. Although, I am grateful to have a professor who doesn’t give up on me. Thank you Mr. G.
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Hi Brandi,
Thank you for your kind words about teaching being in my blood. I feel so fortunate to have an opportunity to learn with you and everyone else in our class. I really believe in the quote from Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard that “to be a teacher in the right sense is to be a learner.”
I don’t know if I would say I put up with a lot (in the negative sense). Rather, having been through a lot, I understand the “real world” can present unexpected challenges. I admire what you and your classmates are trying to achieve. That you are fighting against the odds in many cases makes it that much more inspiring.
I want to inspire you and your classmates and help you overcome your obstacles, but I try to offer a hand up and not a hand out. You need to work for it! Admittedly, I am always learning to be a better teacher, but I treasure the opportunity to improve my abilities.
As for your question: yes, you are definitely one of my great students with a bright future. I don’t think any of us is perfect, but as long as we continue to strive towards improvement success is never that far away.
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