Brian Latimer

  • Why Bother Knowing What Classes I Need to Take?

    This article will sound like I am waving my cane at the clouds, but I am perplexed by how students seemingly don’t grasp the importance of registration. They come to my office and have no clue about what classes they… Continue reading

    Why Bother Knowing What Classes I Need to Take?
  • Is it a Break or an Extended Vacation?

    Classes resumed after spring break, and I was unpleasantly surprised by the number of empty seats in my classroom. I wasn’t too shocked about this in my early morning class. Most of the time, when students miss this class, I… Continue reading

    Is it a Break or an Extended Vacation?
  • You’re My Favorite Because You Aren’t Boring

    Whenever the final for a class wraps up, one or two students usually take the time to thank you for their experience during the semester. Most students will utter “thanks” and move on with their lives. However, there are always… Continue reading

    You’re My Favorite Because You Aren’t Boring
  • I Hate Playing the Game: The Academic Conference

    Due to a plague spreading through my household, I decided to provide an excerpt from my novel. It explains why I am not the biggest fan of conferences. Enjoy or don’t. I don’t care. I was always told in graduate… Continue reading

    I Hate Playing the Game: The Academic Conference
  • What Can I Do To Bring My Grade Up?

    This line is one of the most popular utterances a professor will encounter in their careers. It is a simple question with several complex layers attached to it that there is no single proper answer. One thing is for certain,… Continue reading

    What Can I Do To Bring My Grade Up?
  • Knowing What the Other Side Thinks (Thanks, Gary)

    This is one of the few posts I will ever make on this website that doesn’t explicitly cover anything related to the education experience but still needs discussion. If you are here to hear my perspectives on student silliness and… Continue reading

    Knowing What the Other Side Thinks (Thanks, Gary)
  • Mirth in Misery

    My current institution recently held its annual “State of the Union” address for the employees. I am learning that this is a necessary evil at some places because they can be pep rallies or funeral wakes. The administration touched on… Continue reading

    Mirth in Misery
  • This isn’t Shawshank.

    Every semester, I receive accommodation notices from students regarding their educational needs. It seems like each year, I receive a more extensive list of students who require extra time for assignments and extra exam time, among other things. I understand… Continue reading

    This isn’t Shawshank.
  • Working at a Transparent Institution

    If there is one thing I cherish above all else at this point in my career, it is transparent leadership. I have worked at some institutions where there was the illusion of transparency. In truth, cinder blocks offered better transparency… Continue reading

    Working at a Transparent Institution
  • This Article Was Hijacked By My Last Faculty Meeting.

    I know that I will never have the perfect classroom of prepared students eager to learn and that we will have a great discussion about course material. I am at peace with that. However, I am discovering more and more… Continue reading

    This Article Was Hijacked By My Last Faculty Meeting.