Have you seen "Pure Luck" movie? You may like it if you don't mind a few stupid episodes; I guarantee you will laugh.
Last semester, one of my good students (one of those few you would like to keep) was involved in a serious accident at work and ended up flat on his back for several weeks. Because his average was fine, I agreed to an Incomplete. Well, the poor guy's car was T-boned several days after our conversation and he is still recovering in the hospital. Again! Can you believe it? And, no, it's not one of those stories students make up; unfortunately, this one is for real.
Should I offer him a W? I did not communicate with him directly (but his mother was sending updates) until today; he thanked me for working with him and said he will retake this course next semester. I just feel bad about that F. Strange, huh? Usually students deserve the failing grade. Am I being too soft? I have never been in this situation before.
Teaching one student at a time... Making one yummy treat at a time... Struggling with life... Having Fun!!!
4 comments:
I'd offer the W. Good karma and all ... if we do nice things for the rule followers we can feel better about enforcing rules for the chronic rule breakers :)
Yeah, maybe somebody will take pity on my crazy brother when he enters the halls of higher learning this fall. That's a scary thought...
Is your school like mine where the I's turn into Fs after a semester? Can you give him two I's in a row?? If not, the W is probably in order.... perhaps he could drop and not withdraw??? Here it makes a difference --
One way or the other, I vote for giving him some slack, if for no other reason than you can feel good about not giving a real slacker the benefit of the doubt -- you can always say "I helped unlucky kid... this one made their own bad luck".
Yes, our Is do turn into Fs. I offered him a W so we will see what the Registrar's Office says.
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