A post! ApostapostapostapostaPOST!
TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY.
FIRST: my mom got a job, my mom got a job!! Here at the U of I! Now she can leave the insanity of Tucson and come back to the place she calls home. SUPER HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
SECOND: I got a job, too! In addition to teaching in the second half of summer, I’ll be working as a data analyst for the College of Ag from May through July. Now I can finally get some real experience with real data (and lots of it!).
Better brush up on my SAS.
WOOHA!
Is a Profound Catholic Man Considered a “Deep Friar?”
Hello, fellows!
So I’m almost done grading all the assignments/tests for my stats class.
I think things went pretty well this semester, especially considering that I had about five days’ notice that I’d be teaching AT ALL. I think the best part of all of this, though, is the fact that I overcame my fear of public speaking. Seriously, when I had to present my thesis, which was just in front of four people, I really really had to practice a lot beforehand and, once the day came, I had to concentrate to not throw up/not stutter/not run off in fear.
After the first two or three lectures this semester, however, it was the most natural thing ever for me. I love the fact that my passion for stats and my passion for teaching others how to do stats totally eclipsed my fear of public speaking.
That’s a good feeling, my friends.
One thing I think should change, though, is that I really think that STAT 251 needs to be treated like a science class. That is, I think it needs to be bumped up to 4 credits and given a lab. Statistics is like the hard sciences in that it really needs to be applied to be learned. I think a lab—a day where the whole class would go to a computer lab and given an assignment or something to do using SPSS or Minitab or whatnot—would really benefit students.
That’s kind of what PSYC 218 is, actually, but obviously a lot of students who aren’t in psychology won’t be taking 218.
Just a thought. I know I have no control over that, but that’s what I’d change about this class.
Now I’m going to go screw around. BECAUSE I CAN!
Sigh. :)
Today was a very good day, due in no small part to two very enthusiastic stats students. I spent a total of about 6 hours between them talking about stats and HOW FREAKING COOL all these analyses get once you actually apply them to stuff you’re interested in.
That is all I feel like saying. Today was a very good day.
So tell me something:
Why in the hell was I not trained with these awesome videos?
I never knew the hidden sexual potential of that job.
I have such an urge to remix this.
Oh Wendy’s. You have achieved a whole new level of cool.
I’m a STATS MAN!
WOO THEY WANT ME BACK!
I’m going to get to teach again next semester!
I might get the TH class or I might get one of the MWF classes, but I don’t know yet. But YAY!
Now comes the incredibly difficult task of NOT creating a schedule for next semester until I know when I’m teaching.
Gonna go spaz now.
I freaking love my job.
LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE.
Love x 10 billion.
I can’t believe how lucky I was to get this job. I guess the exceedingly horrible luck I had in Vancouver is finally balancing out.
It’s like I’m not even working, dudes. Each time I get a paycheck I’m like “WOAH FREE MONEY!”
I know everyone’s probably sick of me blah-blahing about my job, but hey. I finally have something to blah-blah about. So I’m going to enjoy it.
Guys, can I spaz for a minute?
It totally hit me this afternoon.
I am teaching statistics.
Me.
I am freaking teaching statistics.
At a university.
I am responsible for the beginning statistical education of 137 college students.
The people in charge think I’m competent enough to teach my own section of statistics.
Teaching.
Teaching statistics.
Teaching statistics at a university.
Me.
Holy fslfjsgaahsdfjghlaweroaw.
I’m an educator!
Today I taught my first university class.
It was awesome.
I think it’ll take awhile for it to sink in that I’m actually independently responsible for a class of 130+ students. But I think it’s going to be the most fantastic time ever.
Oh, and I also had classes today!
- I’m taking SAS Programming, which will end up being super helpful because it prepares us for the SAS certification exam, which would put us way ahead in the job market because pretty much every company that does analyses uses SAS and wants people who know how to use SAS.
- And…CONCERT BAND! I haven’t played my clarinet in like three years, so the first few rehearsals will be interesting. BUT YAY MUSIC AGAIN FINALLY!
I’m done.
GUYS GUYS GUYS!
I just got a job as a lecturer for the U of I statistics department. I’ll be teaching the one Tuesday/Thursday section of STAT 251.
HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT?!
This is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time now: teach statistics!
I’m beyond excited. I’m beyond nervous. It’s a class of 137 students. I have to create the syllabus/homework/exams, figure out how much material I can fit in 75-minute sections of time, practice so that my voice doesn’t waiver like a freak, and I’ve got exactly a week to do it all.
BUT STILL, HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT?!
[deleted section of me mashing the keyboard in excitement]
Edit: aw, yeah.
Every time…
…I have to present stuff I’ve worked on in front of an audience, everything breaks down and doesn’t work.
Every. Time.
*frustration frustration frustration*
At least my spreadsheet thingy worked.
