The Modern Language Association (MLA) issues recommendations for the profession of teaching languages (English and foreign). One of those recommendations is a minimum per-course compensation based on credit hours.
For those who don't want to click on the link, the recommended compensation for 2015-2016 for a three-credit course is $4,900 for a quarter-length class or $7,350 for a semester-length course; MLA recommends $5,320 for a quarter-length course and $8,020 for a semester-length course if compensation were to be more on-par with the recommended annual (and entry-level) salary of $48,180.
Thanks to these recommendations, I've decided to not even waste my time on applying for a job at the community college down the street. While the job seems to be generous at first ($50-60/hour), the truth is that compensation is only for time spent physically inside the classroom. It does not count the large (and often invisible) part of the job - course planning and grading.
Also thanks to the adjunct project, I was better able to pin down how that hourly rate translated to a final salary and frankly it was a mere third of the MLA-recommended salary.
While I sincerely and deeply miss teaching and would love to add a class or two to my life, the compensation isn't worth the loss of my free time. This is part of fighting back against the bottoming-out salaries in the profession; refusing to take work that does not meet minimum, professional association-recommended salaries means that I value my labor and its financial value rather than the "joy" or "satisfaction" of the profession.
I miss teaching and would love to be in a classroom, but I won't do it for less than my professional association says is fair recompense.
I am easily bored, meaning I am a jack of all trades, master of none. A blog about my altac life, knitting, and adventures. I earned a doctorate in literature and with a failed attempt at the academic job market under my belt, I decided to follow my dream and earned an MFA in creative writing. Online. From my former employer. This blog will often zig when you expect it to zag - back in the saddle after a long hiatus!
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Thursday, January 21, 2016
New year, new cold
Missed Sunday's deadline because I've been battling a viral cold for most of a week and really out of things because of it. I'm finally feeling better, but not 100 percent there.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Podcasting is harder than it looks
About a year ago, my knitting buddy mentioned she wanted to start a podcast. We finally made it happen today. It's going to be called "Knit Two Together" (k2tog). It took a few takes and I'm letting her take the lead on preparing the file for uploading, but I think it was fun.
Work keeps me busy and school is about to restart, so I could only commit to doing something once a month, although Deb is going to probably record at least once a month on her own.
I haven't started on the unread books projects yet, although I dragged two books around with me all weekend and never cracked open their spines.
I finished two washcloths and all I have left to do is finishing on them.
Sorry this isn't my best post, but I'm running and/or have run out of steam.
Work keeps me busy and school is about to restart, so I could only commit to doing something once a month, although Deb is going to probably record at least once a month on her own.
I haven't started on the unread books projects yet, although I dragged two books around with me all weekend and never cracked open their spines.
I finished two washcloths and all I have left to do is finishing on them.
Sorry this isn't my best post, but I'm running and/or have run out of steam.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
It's Snowing!
I made an impromptu trip up to Tacoma/Seattle area to visit some friends. Unfortunately, it snowed so much and the traffic and roads were so bad that it took me 4.5 hours instead of 3 to get back home.
I had wanted to see the Landscape Paintings exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, but today was the last day to see it. I guess I'll have to hope I can catch it in Seattle or something.
I have late start at work tomorrow; I'm off to bed.
I had wanted to see the Landscape Paintings exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, but today was the last day to see it. I guess I'll have to hope I can catch it in Seattle or something.
I have late start at work tomorrow; I'm off to bed.
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