Category Archives: lessons learned

What teaching taught me: 2013-2014 edition

Posted on May 23, 2014 by rglw

I posted my final grades in haste over a week ago, and save a few student emails about those grades, I am finished with the 2013-2014 school year. The year was a blur. The work goes from a high-speed car … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, blogging, everyday life, family, higher education, lessons learned, personal, productivity, research, sociology, students, teaching, what professors do, work, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The social construction of grades

Posted on May 21, 2014 by rglw

At least once a semester I tell my students that grades do not matter. When I tell them that grades don’t matter, I am typically a little huffy about it. I recognize that it is a tough pill to swallow when we’re taught that … Continue reading →

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The importance of making headspace.

Posted on May 6, 2014 by rglw

My mother always said that I was terrible at doing nothing. I am fine with being terrible at doing nothing because I am so rarely without something to do. Lately, though, I have found in my quiet moments, those spaces in between … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, everyday life, lessons learned, procrastinating, productivity, thinking, what professors do, writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Living with children….

Posted on March 29, 2014 by rglw

March is a strange time-space continuum in my world. In March, I celebrate my daughter’s birthday. I also celebrate my mother’s birthday, even though my mother has been gone for seven years. I spend much of the month gearing up and then … Continue reading →

Posted in everyday life, family, kids, lessons learned, motherhood, parenthood, personal, real talk | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Professor goes to Washington

Posted on March 18, 2014 by rglw

Okay, so I did not exactly go to Washington. I did take some students to the capital building to watch a public hearing last week and returned yesterday to listen to testimony on other education committee bills. Before last week, … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, ed policy, everyday life, higher education, lessons learned, media, personal, politics, sociology, work | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tackling “Should I Go to Graduate School?” (Part deux)

Posted on March 12, 2014 by rglw

Last week I drafted a conversation between you and me if you asked me “Should I go to graduate school?” Thanks for reading (or for finding this post). I have to assume that I piqued your interest in graduate school … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, dissertation, grad school, higher education, lessons learned, research, sociology, teaching, tenure, writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The one where I tackle: “Should I Go to Graduate School?” (Part one)

Posted on March 4, 2014 by rglw

Several former students have contacted me seeking letters of recommendation as they consider applying to graduate school, so I have been thinking about what I would say to them when we discuss their future plans. If you ask most grad students … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, grad school, higher education, lessons learned, personal, real talk, teaching, work | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Yoga Shabbat, able bodies and back spasms

Posted on February 11, 2014 by rglw

This past Saturday, I went to yoga at my temple. It was an unconventional way to spend Shabbat morning. Growing up in a conservative congregation, my parents and I were not habitual Saturday morning service-goers. And though my parents were … Continue reading →

Posted in being jewish, community, everyday life, health, lessons learned, personal, yoga | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The difference one year makes: on snow days

Posted on February 5, 2014 by rglw

This week, I am in the middle of a solo parenting stint. Despite the last two stressful works days and the snow, I am feeling relatively calm. In fact, I could use a snow day. This time last year, a … Continue reading →

Posted in dissertation, everyday life, family, grad school, kids, lessons learned, parenthood, personal, work | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Dear Proctor and Gamble, Where are all the dads?

Posted on January 20, 2014 by rglw

17 days until the Winter Olympics begin. Several weeks ago, I saw murmurs about this Proctor and Gamble Sochi ’14 ad. I ignored them.  As we get closer to the lighting of the torch, however, this ad will start making … Continue reading →

Posted in everyday life, family, fatherhood, gender equality, kids, lessons learned, marriage, media, parenthood, personal, sports, television | Tagged , , , , | 80 Comments