Portfolio and Calculations Classes, Fall/Winter 2005/06

A lovely card from my 'students'  (actually peers!) from my time as Adjunct Faculty for the Interior Design program at BYU-Idaho.


Can I just say that I am SO grateful for my professors who made this opportunity possible!  I was 'stuck' in Idaho for another year while Jeff finished up his degree.  I needed employment and this was just an amazing opportunity.  Since I only taught two classes, it didn't take up much of my time, so I also worked as a framer at Michaels in Idaho Falls, also an eye-opening and useful experience, my first job in a 'corporate' environment.  But back to the Adjunct position, I loved every minute.  Wendy Harris was the teacher who usually taught Calculations, she had everything organized so well, I basically just had to review the material beforehand to understand what I would cover, then prepare a few slides for the projector.  The students were AMAZING, I don't remember any of them having issues with the content, although there were a few that chose to not attend classes or turn in their assignments.  I hated giving failing grades but honestly it was very straightforward.  Come to class and do the work, you passed, if not, you failed.  The Porfolio class was even easier, all I had to do was show up and help the students with any questions they might have.  The attendance was not kept, it was almost like what I did before I graduated as a tutor.  You just sit at the front of the class and be available.  A few times I arranged some special teaching.  I brought in my first mentor, Lisa Butikofer from LB Designs in Idaho Falls.  She did a fantastic class on starting a business.  I remember walking ALL the way across campus from our 'married housing' at Rockland to the Craig building, bundled up in my winter gear but trying to be dressed professionally.  I never wore jeans or anything sloppy in my position.  I even wore HEELS for crying out loud!  Anyway, it was fantastic, every moment.  I loved my time at BYU-Idaho as a student and perhaps even more so as a part-time faculty.  I would go back and do that as a profession in a heart beat if I had the opportunity to do so, even in freezing, boring Idaho!