Mid-Semester Reminders

Do you feel respected?

Last week I conducted mid-semester evaluations, and I felt a little run down by the complaining nature of some of the responses. I was like, okay, well, I did ask for feedback, but then I read a bummer article from The Atlantic bemoaning falling education standards in across America and widespread illiteracy, and then I started thinking grumpy thoughts about the rising generation, but then I also started feeling like I was part of the problem by not, you know, teaching good enough, and then I preemptively ate a lot of Halloween candy.

In lieu of my less-than-scientific-mood-swings and tendency toward catastrophizing, I decided I’d love some more widespread data about the vibes in our classrooms. Basically, do you feel like you’re being treated respectfully by your students? If you have a minute, please take this 5-minute survey to help me understand a little more about your classroom experiences as an adjunct instructor at BYU. I’ve purposefully tried to keep the questions open-ended & brief (& anonymous), but please contact me directly if you have specific questions and concerns. This information will also help me design and schedule trainings and promote more relevant resources.

Keep on keeping on out there! Enjoy your post-Halloween spoils 🙂 

Adjunct Book Club THIS THURSDAY!

We’ll be discussing Provocations of Virtue by John Duffy this Thursday, November 6th at 11 am in 4186 JFSB. If you’re planning on coming please fill out this quick RSVP so I can do some snack planning. Even if you haven’t read the book, you’re welcome to come discuss or listen. Hope you can make it!

Upcoming Writing Teacher’s Workshop

In two weeks, we’ll be having this semester’s WTW Thursday, November 13 at 11 am in B106 of the JFSB. Brian Jackson and Shannon Stimpson will report on the new Inquiry Unit (the braided essay assignment!) and how it went.

A few reminders on your AI use

Just a reminder that as Church employees, we should be following Church guidelines on AI use which you can read in full here. Basically, all of our AI use should take into account and respect the need for spiritual connection, accountability, privacy, security, and transparency.

If you are using AI to help design classroom activities, provide feedback, or write recommendation letters, these uses of AI should be disclosed to your students. This gives your students a chance to decline having their work and information fed to LLMs and/or gives them a heads up on how you are using AI during your interactions with and for them. Of course, please ask your student for the same transparency and honesty regarding their AI use. Finally, note that University Writing asks that all instructor grading & feedback on final drafts should be completed without AI.

Materials Stipend Deadline!

Each year, adjuncts can spend up to $200 on professional development materials including books, news subscriptions, etc. Read about the details via the online Adjunct Faculty Handbook (shameless plug). The deadline for submitting any materials requests for this year is Saturday, November 15. All materials must be approved and purchased through the English Department (you cannot be reimbursed for private purchases).

Stuff for your calendar

NOVEMBER

• Thursday, November 6: Adjunct Book Club @ 11 am in 4186 JFSB

• Thursday, November 13: WTW Workshop Inquiry Report @ 11 am in B106 JFSB.

• Thursday, November 20: Student Ratings Start! Encourage your students to complete student ratings for your class; the more students who complete their ratings, the better picture you can get of what’s working and what’s not working the classroom.

• Monday, November 24: Withdraw Deadline

DECEMBER

• Wednesday, December 10: Last Day of Class

• Tuesday, December 23: Grade Submission Deadline

JANUARY

• Wednesday, January 7: First Day of Winter 2026

• Wednesday, January 14: Add/Drop Deadline