Friday, July 10, 2009

Am I externally valid???

I guess we shall see.

As part of the tenure process, I have to send a sample of my research along with my vita (academic resume) to well-known researchers across the country. They have to evaluate my work, and render an opinion to my university regarding the quality of my endevours.

My hands were shaking when I was putting the binder clips on the papers. Don't get me wrong, I think I have done some really good work, so I am not actually worried the letters will be bad, but I have now officially kicked off the tenure process and it is just so huge to me.

If I don't get tenure, I don't get stay here. Most of my best memories have been made here. My kids both go to school here. My sister is uprooting her family to move here. I love my life here.

What if my here has to change before I am ready?

8 comments:

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Submitting oneself to tenure is like begging your boss and her/his counterparts around the country for a promotion. How harrowing!

I think you're a strong and amazing woman. And even though I personally believe you deserve tenure (despite not knowing what you teach or the quality of your research), that matters not. You'll figure out a way to make your life work no matter what happens during this process. These people will not define you. Only you can do that.

Fatinah said...

Oy!

wafelenbak said...

Ugh. I was not strong enough to hack the whole tenure process, no way. I stopped quickly at an M.A.
Best wishes...but no matter what happens, ride the wave. I know you don't want to leave where you are, but if things don't work out, maybe something even better is out there for you...(cheesers, but I do believe it)

Astarte said...

If you don't make tenure, they'll really fire you?! Seriously?! One day you're great, and the next you're crap? I don't get that at ALL.

I hope you make it!!!!! If the unthinkable happens, maybe you could be an online professor for someone?

Penny said...

I might have already commented on this lie 5 times...I can't seem to get it to go through so if so just ignore this one.

Anyway

I was saying that I think the baby Jesus wants us all to be together so we can hold hands, hug, and eat cookie dough together, so he will make sure you get to say..

(Also, I'm sure your work is excellent)

creative kerfuffle said...

hell---i love what penny said and i think she's absolutely correct. and also i really do not understand the tenure thing (good one day bad next day) and am of course rooting for you elebenty billion hundred percent.

Anonymous said...

You'll get it. I know you will, I think you've worked way to hard to not get it. I just wish that it didn't ride so much on student evals, because while your an awesome teacher, you seem to not have the best students in your classes.

CK2

kilax said...

You belong there! You're going to make it!

 
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