My final contribution to discussions of grades and tormenting yourselves over your teaching philosophies follows. The wall in my office at home has all the teaching award plaques given to me by the university and the state during the last 26 years, that's seven, including one signed by the legislature referring to me as a state asset. Now after I emit the death response (as my behaviorist friends would say), I will be cremated. A friend of 30 years will fly to Arizona and hire a pilot to fly him to Monument Valley. The pilot will pull his engine back to idle. While gliding over the most inaccessible and remote section of Monument Valley, my friend will open the passenger's window and drop my ashes out with "Claire de Lune" playing in the background. If you ever get a chance I recommend that you read Edward Abbey's books about spending time alone in the desert and then try it yourself. No walkmans, BBQ grills, etc. Just you with lots of water, sunblock, fruit, trail mix, etc. Abbey's bopoks will tell you the supplies that you will need. I will give you one concession. You should bring a cell phone in case you get in trouble but no personal calls. After a few days, you will begin to have revelations that will change your perspectives on things. You will understand why so many prophets spent time in the desert before embarking on the work that made them famous. I did it for many years and I didn't go insane or become a mystic. Anyway, if I was going the traditional route of a grave and headstone, the stone would not have one work on it from all those awards. In the middle of those awards on the wall, there is a yellowing piece of paper that was a course evaluation written over ten years ago. It has always meant more to me that the plaques. My tombstone would have only the words written from that evaluation. It would read, "Pisacreta sucks. I had to study every week in order to get a decent grade." Richard Pisacreta, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI 49307 ________________________________________________________________________ Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.
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