ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES ARE A NIGHTMARE
by end of semester I am burned as many other instructors because of the unrelenting administrative duties imposed by the institution.
Does anyone have any suggestions on staying focused and separating administrative duties?
Robert,
This is great advice for instructors, especially new instructors that are trying to find their way through their first teaching phase. Stay on top of the paperwork and you will be much happier as well has not feel overwhelmed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find that chipping away at each task one by one is the best method. Also I try to stay on top of them so that by the last week of the term most , if not all my administrative work is done. Then it is simply a matter of putting in my grades and leaving for a much needed break. Not letting it pile up is key to not getting overwhelmed.
Andrea,
Well said. As an instructor I don't relish grading all of the projects, papers, and quizzes at the end of the course but just as you said it must be done and needs to be done in a timely manner. The quicker turn around we can provide our students the better.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Administrative duties may be tedious and exhausting at the end of a class/term, but the results generated by the instructors are so important. More importanly, completed in a timely and concisely manner. This is the final respect and support given to your students as an instructor.
Karen,
Good point. I don't have the date for the career college sector but I know that in the public sector we lose the majority (6 out of 8) of our instructors due to paperwork and record keeping. Those that leave wear down trying to get the paperwork done and feel they don't get enough time to prepare and enjoy teaching which is what they signed up for.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is so exhausting! I use times when students are writing papers, working on projects or doing group discussions to work on attendance, etc. I make sure I'm focused on student presentations, but if they're working independently, I use my time for admin. stuff.
Also, your manager may be willing to do some tasks for you if you explain the possible "burn out". No one wants to lose a good employee due to an issue we may be able to help solve.
Yves,
Great question and one for which many of us needs some insight.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
