Winter Term Recap
May 30, 2021
Hi everyone. I hope you've been staying safe, and keeping well. Thanks for popping back by to hear what's been on the go!
Well, the Winter term certainly had some ups and downs. As I mentioned in my last post, I had the privilege of teaching two undergraduate lab classes this past term: Research Methods in Attention, and Experimental Social Psychology. Reprising my Attention class in its third iteration was a great experience, because I feel I'm starting to hone in on the various aspects of the course that seem to work across cohorts of students. It's nice to have more content prepared than is necessary for a single iteration of the course, because I can select the bits that seem to fit based on the students' specific interests. Teaching Experimental Social for the first time was tougher than I anticipated. The most valuable lesson I have learned is to prep content/lectures in advance of the class starting as much as is possible — which was made abundantly clear this term when running a class I had already prepped (Attention) vs. one I was prepping in real time (Experimental Social). This lesson is a tough one to actually implement though, especially when instructors are hired on limited term contracts like I was. My job "technically" didn't start until Jan 1, so that doesn't leave much of a window to be doing course prep in advance (unless you want to do it for free on your own time!).
In spite of the bumpy road, in January I was nominated by my department for the President's Award for Graduate Student Teaching, and I found out last week that I was chosen by the Center for Learning and Teaching as one of the President's Awardees for 2021. This is an incredible honour. Teaching is one of the most gratifying facets of my job, and getting the affirmation from my university that I am making an impact on students is an indescribable feeling. I'm grateful for my various teaching mentors who have been gracious with their time and wisdom. I'm grateful for the hard work and expertise brought forth by the outstanding teaching assistants we have contributing to the learning environments in our department. But mostly, I'm grateful for the students. I know I learn immensely more from each of you than you could ever learn from me, and I appreciate your candour and feedback whenever it is offered.
Also, I found out I didn't get my dream job — which is totally ok. There will be other opportunities. I have had the chance to interview for a couple faculty positions in the UK, which has been really exciting. In addition to these nibbles on the job front, I have been awarded an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship to head to the University of Alberta after I finish up my degree. I'm really excited to work with Dr. Dana Hayward in the VASP lab, and Dr. Kyle Mathewson in the AP&P lab, and start our work on exploring the ecological validity of the neural and behavioural phenomena associated with the attention we measure in the lab.
In line with this, in order to take up the fellowship I need to finish up my degree. So to that end, I finished the last of my non-thesis degree requirements in April, and submitted my dissertation to my committee last week. Now I just wait for their comments, integrate them once they arrive, and count down the days until I defend in early August! :) Here's hoping the next time I check in with all of you, I have a few more letters after my name...
Stay safe, and take care!
- RJ
Well, the Winter term certainly had some ups and downs. As I mentioned in my last post, I had the privilege of teaching two undergraduate lab classes this past term: Research Methods in Attention, and Experimental Social Psychology. Reprising my Attention class in its third iteration was a great experience, because I feel I'm starting to hone in on the various aspects of the course that seem to work across cohorts of students. It's nice to have more content prepared than is necessary for a single iteration of the course, because I can select the bits that seem to fit based on the students' specific interests. Teaching Experimental Social for the first time was tougher than I anticipated. The most valuable lesson I have learned is to prep content/lectures in advance of the class starting as much as is possible — which was made abundantly clear this term when running a class I had already prepped (Attention) vs. one I was prepping in real time (Experimental Social). This lesson is a tough one to actually implement though, especially when instructors are hired on limited term contracts like I was. My job "technically" didn't start until Jan 1, so that doesn't leave much of a window to be doing course prep in advance (unless you want to do it for free on your own time!).
In spite of the bumpy road, in January I was nominated by my department for the President's Award for Graduate Student Teaching, and I found out last week that I was chosen by the Center for Learning and Teaching as one of the President's Awardees for 2021. This is an incredible honour. Teaching is one of the most gratifying facets of my job, and getting the affirmation from my university that I am making an impact on students is an indescribable feeling. I'm grateful for my various teaching mentors who have been gracious with their time and wisdom. I'm grateful for the hard work and expertise brought forth by the outstanding teaching assistants we have contributing to the learning environments in our department. But mostly, I'm grateful for the students. I know I learn immensely more from each of you than you could ever learn from me, and I appreciate your candour and feedback whenever it is offered.
Also, I found out I didn't get my dream job — which is totally ok. There will be other opportunities. I have had the chance to interview for a couple faculty positions in the UK, which has been really exciting. In addition to these nibbles on the job front, I have been awarded an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship to head to the University of Alberta after I finish up my degree. I'm really excited to work with Dr. Dana Hayward in the VASP lab, and Dr. Kyle Mathewson in the AP&P lab, and start our work on exploring the ecological validity of the neural and behavioural phenomena associated with the attention we measure in the lab.
In line with this, in order to take up the fellowship I need to finish up my degree. So to that end, I finished the last of my non-thesis degree requirements in April, and submitted my dissertation to my committee last week. Now I just wait for their comments, integrate them once they arrive, and count down the days until I defend in early August! :) Here's hoping the next time I check in with all of you, I have a few more letters after my name...
Stay safe, and take care!
- RJ
