Back to School

I’ve been surrounded by students lately! It’s intern-mania in London radio newsrooms right now. I’m impressed by the calibre of talent coming out of Fanshawe College. And now I’ve been offered the chance to help it grow. 

Starting in January, I’ll be teaching one weekly class in the college’s Broadcast Journalism course: news writing. It’s mainly a critiquing course, which is my favourite. I really don’t enjoy the “book learnin'” aspect of college instruction that I occasionally took on during my many years as part-time faculty at Humber College. In fact, I loathed it. The one-on-one or me-on-a-classful type of teaching is more my style. I like the practical part of it.

My students will be in second year which is another bonus for me. Frankly, some of the first year students I’ve met over the years have wanted nothing more than to be warm for the winter and shut their parents up. “I’m going to college, alright?!” By second year they’re in it to win it. They’re better sponges for information.

Working alone in the Free-FM newsroom has many upsides, but having had a competent student in with me every day for the past week or so has been wonderful, too. They’ve chased stories, conducted interviews and I haven’t yet sent one for coffee. In fact, I made them coffee from my own private stash! I already know most of the faculty in the program I’m joining and I’m quite familiar with my subject matter. Now all I need is to stay awake for the afternoon class and we’re good!

2 thoughts on “Back to School”

  1. That’s great! I’m really happy for you as well as the students… and just a wee bit jealous. 🙂

    Congratulations, and I know you’ll be great.

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