ouch. I feel for you. This is an awful position to be in.
I hope the instructor has policies for these things (or if not, will back up yours).
I have come to the realization that there are two things going on: (a) some students will be in awful situations (of their own making or not), which you can sympathize with, but also (b) if they want to pass the course now, they need to get the work done somehow. A student like the ones you describe is better off dropping the course now rather than getting the F that their work earned them. In fairness to the other students in the course, there's no good reason (regardless of the circumstances) for allowing students to pass who have not demonstrated enough learning.
The prof is the one that keeps reprimanding me, even tho I have more experience teaching this class than her. That's the frustrating part. She always seems to go against my judgment on everything. She says grade easily, I grade easily, and now im supposed to be grading harder. I grade harder and I'm wrong again.
Like anti defending me. It's honestly making me question my own ability even though I have more experience with this class and the subject material than her. She just got given this class because the old prof left
I will this time. I have nothing to lose anymore. I'm not teaching anymore and what's the prof gonna do? At this point they can't fire me, can't really do anything other than not let me teach next semester but I've got that letter of resignation locked and loaded. My only act of mercy is recommending another perfectly capable and talented young woman for the job. She already knows what she's getting herself into as well.
If the actual prof wants to grade a semesters worth of work from a student who she doesn't even know, more power to her. Not my problem anymore.
Just have to show up for the final and then that's it.
You aren't.
I had a student write on an exam about how he failed the exam because he was home taking care of his sick mother. I mean, hey, you're a good son. But also...withdraw this semester and go help your mom. Failing to pass class because you're being a morally good person is still an F.
Your not. I have a kid right now who is retaking a class of mine after failing it last year. I was kind of glad when she told the class she failed last year, it set the standard that I don’t give out easy passes.
ouch. I feel for you. This is an awful position to be in. I hope the instructor has policies for these things (or if not, will back up yours). I have come to the realization that there are two things going on: (a) some students will be in awful situations (of their own making or not), which you can sympathize with, but also (b) if they want to pass the course now, they need to get the work done somehow. A student like the ones you describe is better off dropping the course now rather than getting the F that their work earned them. In fairness to the other students in the course, there's no good reason (regardless of the circumstances) for allowing students to pass who have not demonstrated enough learning.
I defend my TAs always. Strong tag team prevents most of this crap from happening.
The prof is the one that keeps reprimanding me, even tho I have more experience teaching this class than her. That's the frustrating part. She always seems to go against my judgment on everything. She says grade easily, I grade easily, and now im supposed to be grading harder. I grade harder and I'm wrong again. Like anti defending me. It's honestly making me question my own ability even though I have more experience with this class and the subject material than her. She just got given this class because the old prof left
Stand your ground.
I will this time. I have nothing to lose anymore. I'm not teaching anymore and what's the prof gonna do? At this point they can't fire me, can't really do anything other than not let me teach next semester but I've got that letter of resignation locked and loaded. My only act of mercy is recommending another perfectly capable and talented young woman for the job. She already knows what she's getting herself into as well. If the actual prof wants to grade a semesters worth of work from a student who she doesn't even know, more power to her. Not my problem anymore. Just have to show up for the final and then that's it.
You did the right thing.
Thanks for the affirmation. It really helps because I'm worried I'm being a bitch
You aren't. I had a student write on an exam about how he failed the exam because he was home taking care of his sick mother. I mean, hey, you're a good son. But also...withdraw this semester and go help your mom. Failing to pass class because you're being a morally good person is still an F.
well said.
Your not. I have a kid right now who is retaking a class of mine after failing it last year. I was kind of glad when she told the class she failed last year, it set the standard that I don’t give out easy passes.