Re: One's own students

[Ed Sears <esears@spc.cc.tx.us>]

I would certainly echo all of Beth's suggestions. One suggestion that I
might add would be to associate with a role model. Something along these
lines might have already been posted; I am just now re-entering WCENTER
and cyberspace after an absence of a few years. 

I can give personal testimony to the value of my association with Lady
Falls Brown at Texas Tech. I worked for Lady for a couple of years as a
grad student. Her encouragement and support were invaluable to me and my
career. One summer, she made a point of naming me Acting Director of the
Writing Center. Although my administrative duties were not extensive, I
was required to complete a few administrative assignments, mostly
keeping records and similar paperwork. 

Lady also makes a point of stongly encouraging her assistants to try new
techniques, do research, present papers, and publish. For example, we
established WCENTER during that time. Several of us investigated on-line
tutoring techniques and presented a session at a SCWCA conference on the
theory and logistics of on-line tutoring.

I realize this may sound like I'm going on about Lady and her Writing
Center, but in my opinion it is difficult to say too much about the
value of an excellent mentor.

Thanks, Lady!

Ed Sears
Assistant Professor of English,
Coordinator of Computer-Assisted Writing,
and Writing Lab Director
South Plains College