By Lydia Reeves Timmins, Temple University

With just a few weeks left in the semester, my first official teaching job nears completion. The last class is at the end of this month, and I can tell the students can't wait. For that matter, I’m kind of looking forward to it too! It amazes me how easily I have fallen into the rhythm of the school year.

In the beginning, it felt funny NOT to work 24/7. But now—wow I feel normal!

My student’s final projects are also nearing completion. In this class, it’s a final research paper. I’ve read the first drafts, and my heavens. Who teaches them how to write? Basic spelling and grammar are just not there. Everything is typed on the computer, in Word, with spell check. But they must ignore those little red underlines!

I know that serving for two decades as a producer who examines all the supers before they air has given me a heightened awareness of the importance of correct spelling and all, but I can’t believe these papers come from juniors in college who, in some cases, still haven’t figured out the basics. For instance, the President’s first name is spelled Barack. Not with two R’s or two C’s. It’s hard for me to comprehend not knowing that fact.

As one semester ends, I’m beginning a term at another university. This class, in TV Newswriting, runs until mid-June. It’s a long one, three hours once a week, but I’m figuring the students need an hour each class to practice writing. Not read about it, not hear me lecture about it—just DO it. I’m finding the lesson plan more challenging that I thought it would be. Their weekly homework is to watch a half-hour newscast and write a one page paper critiquing the writing.

In the first class last week came the inevitable question—“Can I watch Jon Stewart for my assignment?” Umm, no. While I agree The Daily Show offers an insightful examination of the current state of the news media, it’s not the writing I want them to learn—at least not yet. So they have to watch local, cable, network and public broadcasting. I look forward to reading the results of their analysis this week!